Eugene Wilhelmsen

Eugene “Gene” P. Wilhelmsen, 84, Gladstone, MO, formerly of Independence, MO passed away Sept. 15, 2011. Memorial services will be at 2 pm, Wed., Sept. 21, at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052; Private interment at Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 pm before the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Millville/New Hope United Methodist Church, 43136 Hwy. K, Millville, MO 64085-8142 or the Elks Lodge #2376, 7010 North Cherry Street, Gladstone, MO 64118-2641.
Gene was born Sept. 24, 1926 in Detroit, MI. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in the Class of 1944 before joining the U.S. Navy to fight in WW II. After the war, he went the University of Missouri and then Kansas City University, now UMKC, School of Law. Gene practiced law in Independence for fourteen years then went to practice in Kansas City before spending the last eighteen years of his career as the general counsel for the General Services Administration. In 1960, Gene headed the Census of the 4th Congressional District. He was on the board and served as the legal advisor to the Atherton levy project during its planning and construction. He was a member of the Missouri Bar Assoc., the Elks Lodge #2376 in Gladstone, VFW Post #5606, the American Legion, the Moose Lodge. He was a very accomplished pool payer and traveled to tournaments around the country. He also enjoyed playing chess, reading poetry and counted farming among his hobbies.
Gene is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Jean Wilhelmsen, of the home; sons Henry Wilhelmsen and wife Ilana Widder, Springfield, OR; Curt Wilhelmsen and wife Sandi, Blue Springs, MO; brother Kempel Wilhemsen, Prescott, AZ; and grandchildren Kyla Meade and husband Michael, Boston, MA; Kali Wilhelmsen, Springfield, OR; Kelsey Anne Wilhelmsen, Blue Springs, MO and Jason Wilhelmsen, Kansas City, MO.