Sam J. Wilhelm, 72, of 420 Brentwood Drive, Covington, Virginia, died Wednesday, June 10, 2009 a Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem.

He was born October 21, 1936 in Covington, a son of the late Grover L. "Shorty" and Della Fortune Wilhelm.

After completing high school, Mr. Wilhelm served with the United States Navy.

During his working career Mr. Wilhelm was involved in various businesses. From 1957 until 1977 he was employed with Westvaco and did contracting work building and remodeling homes. Sam was the owner of the Phillips 66 Gas Station that was located where Burger King in Covington is now and also was the last owner to operate the Riverside Exxon. He left Westvaco in 1977 to teach carpentry at Jackson River Technical Center until 1989. During this time, he served as VICA state director for over nine years and he held many other titles during his teacher career. He was the Site Facilitator for Old Dominion University in "Leaning In the Content". He earned teaching and construction certification with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Old Dominion University. Together with his daughter Teresa , they were founders of the Alleghany Ambulance Service, Inc. from 1982 until 2004.

Mr. Wilhelm was elected to the Board of Supervisors in November of 2001.

He was a member of Temple Baptist Church since 1968 and served as a deacon, teacher and served on the Building Committee and additional church committees.

Mr. Wilhelm was a member of the Kiwanis, Moose, Odd Fellows and Amos.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wilhelm was preceded in death by a son, James Marshall Wilhelm in 1957 , one brother, Donald L. Wilhelm ,one sister Betty Thompson and his dog Bentley.

Surviving are his loving wife of 53 years, Leona Broughman Wilhelm of Covington; three daughters, Teresa P. Wilhelm of Waynesboro; Karen Graham and her husband, Paul of Covington; and Bridgett E. Wilhelm of Clifton Forge; three grandchildren, Sara M. Graham , twins Jamie L Graham and Katie L. Graham, all of Covington; nieces and nephews, including Carol and Jack Seums of Arlington and Gary and Paula Thompson of Covington.

The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Temple Baptist Church with the Rev. William M. Hartsfield officiating.

The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. in Arritt Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, Virginia.