Jerry Wilhelm, 81, of Nazareth passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2011 in Dimmitt. Vigil service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00PM in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 2:00PM in Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Ken Keller as celebrant. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home. Jerry was born January 23, 1930 in Nazareth, Texas to Ed and Margaret Wilhelm. He was raised in Nazareth and graduated Nazareth High School in 1949. He married Nellie Braddock on February 15, 1954. Jerry served as a Quarter Master in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was very active in both his community and Castro County, serving in several capacities; Castro County Commissioner, American Legion, and Nazareth Senior Citizens. He was also instrumental in helping the community of Nazareth resource their first water tower. Most of all, he loved agriculture and anything related to advancing such practice and was engaged in farming up until the last year of his life. Jerry always had a story to tell and a joke to share, bringing a smile to all. He is survived by his wife Nellie Wilhelm of Nazareth; 6 sons, Weldon Wilhelm of Arnold Nebraska, Franklin Wilhelm of Luling, TX, Harold Wilhelm and wife Fay of Amarillo, Kenneth Wilhelm and wife Liberty of Zion, Illinois, Wayne Wilhelm and wife Melanie and Brent Wilhelm and wife Lindsay of Nazareth; 4 daughters, Christine Acker and husband Kevin of Nazareth, Margie Barlow and husband Keith of Midland, Elaine Hillin and husband Cliff of Lubbock, and Dr. Elizabeth Matos and husband Dr. Gregorio Matos of Amarillo, a twin brother, James Wilhelm and wife Irene of Nazareth. 18 grandchildren, Patricia Acker, Nicole Acker, Carissa Wilhelm, Edward Wilhelm, Jeremy Wilhelm, Christopher M. Wilhelm, George Acker, Christopher Matos, Jeanette Acker, Brian Acker, Jeremiah Wilhelm, Alexandra Matos, Allen Acker, Caleb Hillin, Hayden Hillin, Jesse Acker, Pierce Wilhelm, and Kennedy Wilhelm. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a sister and an infant son, Albert. Memorials may be made to Francis Wilhelm Legion Post in Nazareth or to Cal Farley Boys Ranch PO Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174