Alta Wilhelm

Alta Mae Reeves Wilhelm passed from this life at a local assisted living center on Thursday, September 18, 2014. "Aunt Alta," as she was known to friends as well as to her nieces and nephews, was born on the Wisenhunt Ranch near Medina in Bandera County on March 6, 1922, to John Elmore Reeves and Beulah Melissa Morris Reeves. She was educated in Center Point and graduated salutatorian of her Center Point High School class of 1940. Alta valued education and dedicated her life to instilling in youngsters a love for learning. She began her teaching career in 1942 at one-room Murphy School near Hondo, Texas. In 1943 she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, later renamed the Women's Army Corps, and was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia with the 2506th Service Command Unit. During the war, she worked as a cryptographic technician in the Signal Corps at the Pentagon and was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of T/3 (sergeant). She counted her life changing experiences in Washington, DC as a highlight of her life. On June 28, 1945, Alta married Bill Wilhelm of Kerrville and together they had one child, Ronald. With support from the GI Bill, Alta completed a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Education degree from the University of Houston. She resumed teaching in Baytown, Texas where she taught for 11 years before returning to her native Hill Country for the remainder of her career. Alta taught at Tom Daniels Elementary and Peterson Junior High for 20 years before retiring in 1984.\r\n\r\nAlta is survived by her son, Dr. Ron Wilhelm and his wife, Kim Batchelor of Dallas; nieces Lorain Ellison (Jim) of Kerrville; Clarabelle Weimer (Rusty) of Kerrville; Caroline Simons (Roger) of Somerville; Kay Wilhelm Moon (Bryden) of Boerne; Diana Wilhelm Sánchez of Albuquerque, NM; Patti Wilhelm Warren (Mason) of Bloomfield, NM; and Peggy Wilhelm Reyes (Dave) of Albuquerque, NM; and nephews Father John Reeves (Linda) of State College, PA; Clint Reeves of Center Point; Bob Reeves (Janet) of Kerrville; Richard Wilhelm (Janet) of Brownwood; and Larry Wilhelm of Ranger; and numerous cousins, great nieces and great nephews.\r\n\r\nA highlight of her last days was a trip to Washington, DC, sponsored by the Fulfill a Lifetime Wish Foundation. She returned after 70 years to tour the Pentagon and witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as visit the World War II Memorial.\r\n\r\nAlta enjoyed collecting rocks on her many outings around the Hill Country and she loved her cats "Snowy", "Go-Go" and "Grey Baby." To honor her love for learning, the beauty of the Hill Country, and animals, "Aunt Alta's" friends and former students are invited to make donations to the Kerrville Public School Foundation (1009 Barnett), the Riverside Nature Center Association of Kerrville (150 Francisco Lemos St.), the Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter (515 Spur 100), or the Kathleen C. Cailloux Humane Society (2900 Junction Hwy., Ingram).\r\n\r\nFuneral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23rd at Grimes Funeral Chapels, 728 Jefferson Street. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, September 22nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Pallbearers include Bob Reeves, Clint Reeves, Matthew Simons, Richard Wilhelm, Bryden Moon, and Albert Vásquez. Honorary pallbearers include her former students and Rusty Weimer, Jim Ellison and April, Brian, Sophie and Christian Payne.\r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]