- Date Of Birth: March 30, 1949
- Date Of Death: April 15, 2023
- State: North Carolina
He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. Benny Reid Wilhelm, 74, of Statesville NC went to his Heavenly Home, on Saturday April 15th 2023.
Benny was born in Iredell County on March 30th 1949, to the late Ben and Juanita Wilhelm. He attended Cool Spring School.
On October 22nd 1967, Benny married the love of his life, Linda Meredith Harmon. They shared 55 ½ amazing years together. They were soulmates who built a beautiful life on faith, love, respect, laughter, and dancing. They had two daughters, Amy and Emily, whom they loved completely and unconditionally.
On August 4th 1969 Benny was Drafted into the United States Army. He graduated from Basic Training at Fort Bragg NC and from AIT Advance Training at Fort Dix, NJ, with an MOS as Combat Engineer. He left for Vietnam on January 12th 1970, and Served with the 20th Engineer Brigade, 104th Engineers Company Dump Truck Division until March 9, 1971. While serving in Vietnam Benny made many lifelong friendships. Unfortunately, like so many of his Army Brothers he was exposed to Agent Orange. This caused him to develop multiple Cancers, creating years of pain and cutting his life too short.
Upon returning from Vietnam Benny went to work in the Maintenance Department at Fiber Industries in Salisbury NC. Benny made several incredible friendships there before his retirement 35 ½ years later.
Benny loved the outdoors, and fishing with his grandchildren brought him so much joy. He was an avid hunter – a passion he shared with his son-in-law Bubby. Benny helped form the West Rowan Bowhunters in Cleveland, which helped raise money for Cancer patients in their community – never realizing that years later Benny himself would be so tragically affected by Cancer.
After retiring from Fiber he started Benny’s Lawn Care and ran it for 5 years. His customers loved him and Benny brought such happiness to all of them.
On October 21, 2018 Benny and Linda joined New Salem United Methodist Church in Statesville. Benny served on the Security Team and spent years lovingly taking care of the church buildings and grounds, and supported the church in any way he could. The friendships he made there were so important to him.
Benny was preceded in death by his: father and mother, Ben & Juanita Wilhelm; brother, Joe “Buddy” Wilhelm; niece, Jennifer Wilhelm; nephew, Tommy Beach; in-laws, Fred & Myrtle Harmon, Steve & Kaye Harmon, Gary Harmon, and Ernie Beach. Along the years Benny also lost so many friends who were like family to him. It comforts his family to know that Benny is with Jesus now, and that he was reunited with all those he loved that went before him.
Left to cherish his memory is his: wife, Linda H. Wilhelm; daughters, Amy Wilhelm (Mark Beaver) and Emily (Doug) Lambert; grandchildren– Ashley Lambert, Jeremy Lambert, Alex Cook, and Tyler Lambert; great grandchildren– Aleeah and Colesin; and sister, Lisa (Daniel) Galliher; and many other beloved family members.
Benny was loved by so many, and we know that none of us will ever forget his big ol’ grin, his tasty tomatoes, his long joyful conversations, his infectious laughter, his boundless energy, and his unending willingness to help others. “Well done good and faithful servant”.
