James Guy Wilhelm, 85, of Princeton, NJ, formerly of Pace, FL, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Born in Mooresville, NC on November 5, 1932, to the late James Guy and Grace Chandler Wilhelm, James a child of the rural, southern depression, left home in his early 20’s and joined the US Air Force. After 2 years in Officers’ Candidate School, he was stationed in Dover, DE where he met his wife of 58 years, Joan Elizabeth Shaw of Harrington, DE. His career then took them to London, UK where their two children, Deborah Wilhelm Rifkin and James Guy Wilhelm, were born. His role as a navigator aboard C141’s in the MAC division of the Air Force, led his young family to Maguire AFB in NJ, and then to Scott AFB in Illinois. After a year serving as a counter-intelligence officer in DaNang, Viet Nam, and having received many commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, he retired as a LtCol and began his second career in Harness Horse Racing Administration, moving his family to Camp Springs, Md, and serving as the head of PR and Special Events for Rosecroft and Freestate Raceways where he would remain until retiring in the late 80’s. Jim and Joan moved to Pace, Florida in 1992 and enjoyed the retired life until they made their final move to Princeton, NJ to live near their daughter and, in recent months, their son.
Jim, also known by Sonny and Willie, was an avid golfer, winning many tournaments and championships and garnering local attention by shooting his age, 72, 13 years ago. He especially enjoyed playing with his brother, William McLelland Wilhelm, of Gastonia, NC, as well as many others he met over the decades. In his military days, he had fun playing baseball in the Base league and occasionally, sitting on the bench alongside his distant cousin, Hoyt Wilhelm, during practices with the Baltimore Orioles. Jim also enjoyed the outdoors and hiked a good portion of the Appalachian Trail during his years living in Maryland. He was a lover of music, had a great voice, and enjoyed singing with his North Carolina family, and his Air Force pals. He loved to laugh, and dance, and was a great story teller. His love for animals was well known. Making his grandchildren laugh was his greatest joy.
Jim leaves behind his wife, Joan, daughter Debbie and her husband, Rich Rifkin, son James Guy III and four grandchildren: Alexander and Grace Rifkin, and Mason and Kirby Wilhelm. He will be deeply missed by his brother, Bill Wilhelm and family, and brother-in-law Bill Shaw and family. His military friends, the Popovich’s, Pitzer’s, Wickers and Yarcheever’s, were always dear to his heart as were his beloved Florida neighbors, the Franklin family. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Pam and Terry Grant for their support and care during their final year in Florida.
There will be no public services for Jim. Arrangements for his cremation have been made by Ruby Memorial in Hightstown, NJ. Kindly visit Jim’s Memorial Pae at: www.rubymemorialhome.com.

If you would care to make a donation in his memory, the following organizations are engaged in work that support his life philosophies of care to animals, and equality and justice for all humans.

Southern Poverty Law Center: www.splcenter.org/
Animal Friends for Education and Welfare: Hightstown, NJ, www.afewpets.org/index.php

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