Gary A. Wilhelm, 74, passed away July 14, 2016 at Mountainview Memorial Hospital in White Sulphur Springs.
Married for 49 years, Gary leaves behind his wife, Margaret, and daughters Patti Jo (Joel) Johnston and Tana (Scott) Cromwell. He delighted in his grandsons, Hunter Cromwell, l3, and Brock Johnston, 8. He’s also survived by sisters, Shirley Brown of Billings and Marlene Grantham of Celeste, Texas, and several special nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Gary was born January 19, 1942 in Lewistown and attended Lewiston schools. He came to White Sulphur in l964 to work with the Montana Department of Transportation on the highway running through town. After living for a short time in Missoula, Helena and Townsend, Gary and Margaret returned to White Sulphur to pursue raising cattle and daughters.
Gary will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor.
A memorial service is planned for September 17 at 2 p.m. in the family yard in White Sulphur. Service, songs, poetry and stories will be the order of the day. Gary said, “Wait until you aren’t so sad before you do anything.”
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gary.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday September 17, 2016
Family yard
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday September 17, 2016
Family yard
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
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Laurena and Ken says
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. We so enjoyed Gary and spending time with him always brought laughter and fun. We will miss him. We imagine him back on his horse now riding the ranges of heaven. Our thoughts are with all.
Clint and Sharon martin says
Love, hugs and prayers for all of the Family, was so happy I got to see Gary at Eva’s funeral. He was an awesome guy!!
Sandra "Sam" Luther says
I always loved going into the hardware store and visiting with Gary and Mrs. Wilhelm. He had such a great smile and sense of humor. He smiled that way at Mrs. Wilhelm when he surprised her by coming to the high school library the day we were having a get together for her retirement. They love each other deeply. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone in the family and all his friends because all of us will miss him dearly.
Mary Strike Lathan says
So sorry for all of the Family as you grieve Gary’s death. As a childhood friend and neighbor, the Wilhelms, Strikes and Crowells, shared many fun times together. My prayers for all!
Heather Mielke Buttaro says
My thoughts and prayers are going out to Margaret and the girls. I didn’t know Gary well, but I know he was well loved and took great care of his family. May you find peace and love in your memories of him.
Coreen Rooney says
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful husband And father. Gary always greeted you with a warm smile. He will be missed.
Cindy Galt says
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Melissa says
Rob and I are so sorry for your loss. We loved Uncle Gary very much. He was an awesome person. Love and hugs to all of you!
Ron Burns says
A great picture of the Gary I knew. Gary was my friend, he was a good guy, and I enjoyed doing business with him. He was great to visit with him, and the twinkle in his eye and smile when he talked about his girls and their families. Gary was fortunate to live his dream life, he raised good black cattle, and rode good horses. I will miss him.
Trish Niday says
Margaret, Patti Jo, Tana and familiy, our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Niday Family from Lewistown
Ginger says
My thoughts are prayers are with all of you in your time of loss… May Gary Rest in peace and look down from heaven and smile that big bright smile while watching over you..
Shummonda (Tousley) Senters says
My deepest sympathies to you all. Gary will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I do remember Gary’s infectious smile, he loved his family very much and was very proud of you all. May you find strength in each other to get through the hard days to follow.
Dorothy Dupea Kincaid says
Very sorry for your family’s loss. May he rest in peace. My prayers are with you for the days ahead.
Jill Holthues Grim says
I’m so sorry to hear if your loss. Many thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Katharine Ann Campbell says
Sadness for your loss. Hold on to memories
Frank Gremaux says
My good friend in high school and always !
I always called him Ralph and never knew why but he always called me Ralph too !
Everytime i called him he was upbeat!
What a great guy! We will all miss him!
Too his family: So very sorry for your loss and our loss too !
Just hard to type with all my emotions ….good bye my friend !
Jeanne says
Well, Gary, I never did do that dance for you, nor did I leave a short resume of my sex life on your voicemail . So…I guess you can kick my butt the next time we meet. You will be so missed by mouthy, naughty people who reveled in your wit. Happy trails.
Ron and Kim Hamm says
Ron and I only knew Gary after his accident and found him to be witty and always has a smile. Margaret is a pillar of “get it done” and we appreciate the effort it takes to take care of a person who relies 100% on you. The last 8 weeks before he passed we had PT right after each other and I would have a funny for him and he would have one for me. It was an honor to know these two an I look forward to hanging and crafting with Margaret in the future. Blessings at this time.
Lois Hill says
so many great rodeo memories with those two girls. He was a proud dad and well deserved, the world was a better place with him in it and many folks were blessed to have known him. Love and Prayers to you all
Ron/June Tibbetts says
We are sorry for your loss..we had such a nice time when the girls were rodeoing.. Prayers for alll
Ron/June Tibbetts says
Our sympathy goes to all. We had such nice times when our girls were rodeoing. Prayers for you
Bill and Ann Marie Bushong says
Tana, Bill and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Even though we didn’t really know him, we grew to know him through the wonderful stories you would tell about him. Bill did meet him one time when he was heading through White Sulphur Springs in the motor home to go hunting w/ buddies. He helped Bill find a fuse for the generator in the motor home. Just another example of your Dad going out of his way to help someone. Prayers and blessings to your entire family.
Ray Buffington family says
Really good memories of times gone by. We are sorry for your loss. Remember God as your strength.
Linda Frisbie says
Margaret I am so sorry that your boyfriend is gone from this earth, but know he is looking after you from above. I know of no one that displayed absolute courage the way Gary did. What a gift he left all of his family! Especially, Hunter and Brock. All they ever have to learn “Lessons in Courage” is to seek the memories of Papa Gary. Patti Jo, Joel, Tana, Scott just remember the many memories and take care of your Mom.
Shawn (McAllister) Neilson says
Margaret I am so sorry for you and your family!s loss. Dad thought so much of Gary and of coarse, you also.
Jerry & Christine Laskody says
We so looked forward to seeing Gary at the Lewistown gathering every year and we are so sorry to hear of his passing. We take comfort in knowing he’s in a better place now. We are hoping to be able to attend his memorial service in September. I’ve included a poem that I wrote.
Jerry & Christine Laskody
St. Ignatius, MT
The Passin’ Of A Friend
by Jerry Laskody
It’s cloudy in the valley,
And the sky is dark and gray,
It fits the way I’m feelin’,
‘Cuz a friend has passed away.
I guess I should be grateful,
‘Cuz he’s not hurtin’ anymore,
But the loosin’ of a friend,
Makes a fella’ feel gosh almighty poor.
He’s a’ riden all his circle,
From this life he has just passed,
But we know he’s in a better place,
With no more pain at last.
So we all can take some comfort,
That he’s crossed the Big Divide,
To the land of gentle breezes,
On an easy hoss to ride.
And his days are all warm and sunny,
Where the cold winds never blow,
Welcomed by a loving God,
Pain and strife he’ll no more know.
But it’s tough on all us folks,
That this friend leaves behind,
And I know that they’ll be darn few days,
When he’ll not be on my mind.
I’m a’ settin’ here a writtin’ this,
As the sun rises in the East,
It’s the dawnin’ of a new day,
And my friend is now at peace.
Gary Yaeger says
I went to Moore High School, so didn’t know Gary until I went to work for Sie Schindler in Sie’s Body Shop where Gary worked. I was a farm kid. After feeding cattle in winter, I worked for Sie and with Gary three winters in the body shop. Gary was such a great guy to work with and always had such a great attitude. Sie, Gary and I always went across 6th Avenue to Mary Hubbard’s Q’s Ice Cream Shop, where her homemade donuts and rolls went so well with a cup of coffee at 10:AM. I’d bought a 1962 Pontiac, “Tri-powered” that Gary bought from me when I’d traded for a 1963 Pontiac just before my marriage. Gary will always be a great memory for this old co-worker.