James Lawrence Wilhelm, 85, of Nazareth, Texas passed away on Friday, August 28, 2015 in Amarillo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 11:00AM in Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Ken Keller and Deacon Bob Birkenfeld officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home. Rosary will begin at 5:15PM on Monday evening with Vigil service to follow at 7:00PM in Holy Family Catholic Church James was born on January 23, 1930 in Nazareth, Texas to Ed and Margaret Schacher Wilhelm. He was raised in Nazareth and graduated from Nazareth High School in 1948. He married Irene Brockman in Nazareth on January 27, 1953. James served in the United States Army and served in the Korean War alongside his twin brother Jerry. James was a well known farmer and rancher in Castro County and was active in the American Legion, Lions Club, Nazareth School Board, Parish Council and Castro County Soil Conservation. James loved to vacation in the mountains with his beloved family, watching Texas Rangers baseball, watching Jeopardy and playing Solo. James is survived by his wife, Irene Wilhelm of Nazareth, 5 daughters, Juanita Barker of Lubbock, Evelyn Rankin and husband John of San Antonio, Mary Olvera and husband David, Angie Milton and husband Harvey and Jeanie Birkenfeld and husband Clyde all of Nazareth; 3 sons, Tim Wilhelm and wife Monica of Amarillo, Dale Wilhelm of Nazareth and Shawn Wilhelm and wife Charlynn of Dumas, 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. James is preceded in death by his parents, 1 daughter, Vickie Chester, 5 brothers, 1 sister, son-in-law, Paul Chester, and daughter-in-law, Janette Wilhelm. Memorials: American Legion, P. O. Box 81, Nazareth, Texas 79063 or Lions Club, 210 FM 168, Nazareth, Texas 79063. Sign the online guestbook at colonialfuneralhome.org