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Barbara Elaine Fendley Wilhelm age 87 joined our heavenly Father Tuesday, January 9, 2024 surrounded by her family and beloved caregivers. Barbara was born January 2, 1937 in Smithville, Texas in Bastrop County. Her childhood was spent there, and she graduated from Smithville High School. She met her husband, Woodrow F. Wilhelm, and they were married in St. Paul Catholic Church in Smithville on November 17, 1956. Shortly thereafter, they moved to San Antonio and remained there until her death. Her primary vocation was that of loving wife and exquisite homemaker for her husband and 4 sons. After all the children were well into elementary school, she returned to work as a receptionist for a physician and then for many years as a receptionist and office manager in various academic departments at San Antonio Community College. Her Catholic faith was vitally important to her and it guided her life. She and her husband were very involved in the life of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and elementary school where all 4 sons attended and graduated. Barbara and Woodrow moved to another part of San Antonio and quickly became very active at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. They were often involved in various service organizations. Barbara loved serving her family and others. Barbara and Woodrow enjoyed playing bunco. They were charter members of a couples’ bunco group that met for almost 50 years. The group met once a month without fail and would take vacations together every five years. Most of them met originally through the Double Ring Club at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Barbara is preceded in death by her mother Jettie Elaine Fendley and her siblings, Leslie Fendley, Richard Fendley and Alice Ann Fendley Wilhelm. She is also preceded in death by her beloved son, Neal Alan Wilhelm. She is survived by her beloved husband, Woodrow, of over 67 years; their son Gary and daughter-in-law Sandi and their children Christopher, Courtney and Candace; son Kent and daughter-in-law Jeni and their sons Tyler and Evan; and son Rev. Dean E. Wilhelm of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by six great grandchildren. The family wishes to express immense gratitude to the devoted caregivers from Magnolia Hospice and especially to loving caregiver Norma Zarceno who became the daughter Barbara never had. Funeral rites will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. followed by the Rosary at 9:30 A.M. Mass will begin at 10:00 A.M. with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in her memory be made to either Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216 (www.holyspiritysa.org) or St. PJ’s Children’s Home, 919 Mission Road, San Antonio, Texas 78210 (www.stpjhome.org).

Tributes

Barbara Elaine Fendley Wilhelm

January 2, 1937 - January 9, 2024