Beverly Jane Wilhelm

Beverly Jane Wilhelm was born in Sugar Bush, Wisconsin on February 22,1940 to Burt Parfitt and Melissa Stewart Parfitt. She was the middle child with an older brother named John and a younger brother named Lawrence (Larry). She lived in Wisconsin until 1947, when the family moved to Orange Cove, CA. Beverly grew up on a turkey ranch and attended Dinuba Jr. Academy through 10th grade. She went to Monterey Bay Academy for 11th and 12th grades, graduating in 1958. After High School, Beverly attended Pacific Union College (PUC) from 1958 - 1959, and part of 1960. While at PUC, Beverly enrolled in the first 2-year nursing program. She also worked as a nurse's aide at St. Helena Sanitarium. Beverly then went home to work at the Dinuba Alta District Hospital so she could further her relationship with a young man named James (Jim) Wilhelm. They began dating, sometimes accompanied by his younger sister Karen. In 1960, she went to Paradise Valley Hospital in San Diego to take the 3-year diploma nursing program. After completing her first year in the program, Jim proposed making sure no one else tried to date his girl while she was away from home. The couple got married on August 6, 1961. Beverly eventually graduated from the nursing program in 1963, passed her boards and became an RN. The young couple moved to Corona, CA in 1964 and Beverly worked for Jim's uncle, a surgeon named John Schnepper. On July 1, 1964, they adopted their first son, Jeffrey Brian. On January 24, 1966, they adopted a daughter, Julia Maryl. On August 22, 1971, they adopted a son, James Courtney. Beverly enjoyed being a mother and quit her job as a nurse to stay at home with her babies. During this time Jim had a physical therapy contract with Corona Community Hospital which Beverly helped him with. In 1973, Beverly went back to school at Redlands University and graduated with a B.A. She continued to help Jim with his Physical Therapy practice and with General Construction jobs he did on the side. Jim built several single-family residences, a small tract of homes and a condominium complex. The family lived in La Sierra by the Adventist Elementary School until 1977, when they built a custom home in Woodcrest. Beverly was always taking care of people. Her home was always welcome to those in need. She cared for Jim's grandmother in her home before she passed away. In the 1990's Jim and Bev became licensed Residential Care Facility Administrators and ran a facility in Riverside for 10 years. In 2003, they sold their home in Woodcrest and moved to Visalia, CA to help care for Jim's mom, Opal, who had Alzheimer's. Shortly after they arrived Jim's father, Bud, passed away in October 2003. During this time Bev raised Japanese Chin dogs as a hobby. Jim developed Alzheimer's and Beverly became a full-time caregiver to her husband and mother-in-law. Beverly's mother, Melissa, also lived with them and helped Bev with laundry and other small chores. Bev was saddened when her mother passed away in 2010. In August 2011, Bev and Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Sadly, Jim passed away a month later, on September 18, 2011. Opal passed away soon after in February 2012. Shortly after, Bev was pursued by a childhood friend, Denny Butler, whom she had known since she was 7 years old. Denny wasted no time and the couple were married on March 18, 2012, and moved to Denny's home in Kingsburg, CA. The couple enjoyed traveling and liked to visit family and friends around the country. Denny restored old cars, and they liked to attend car shows in the area. They also looked forward to the Stewart family reunions that were held in different parts of the country every 2 years. In January 2017, Beverly's youngest son, Jamie passed away. More than anything, Bev loved being surrounded by family, especially her grandchildren. She had a way of making each grandchild feel special. Bev loved to celebrate the Holidays which she would usually host in her home with good food, family, and games. She was always the life of the party with her sassy wit and good humor. Bev loved See's Candy, particularly Beverly's (which she claimed were named after her). She also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, watching true-crime programs on TV and staying connected with friends via text, email, or Facebook. Other favorites include beautiful music, good sermons, Chinese food, and Mexican food. Bev looked forward to going to heaven and wanted to see all of her family and friends there. She is survived by her husband, Denny Butler, her son Jeff Wilhelm, and wife Susan Wilhelm, grandson Ryan Wilhelm, and wife Cassidy Wilhelm, grandson Nick Wilhelm, and wife Katie Wilhelm and great grandson Cade "CJ" Wilhelm, daughter Julie McConnell, and husband Ruskin McConnell, granddaughter Loren Moceo, and husband Paul Moceo, great-granddaughter Austan, and great-granddaughter Collins, grandson Hayden McConnell and great-grandson Ruskin. She is also survived by her brother Lawrence Parfitt and his wife Arline. In lieu of flowers please donate to Beverly Wilhelm Memorial using QR code below, funds will go to Dinuba Adventist Jr Academy: https://adventistgiving.org/donate/ANP8QB Visitation will be held 11am Friday, September 20th, 2024 at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1310 S. Woodland St., Visalia, with a Funeral service to follow at 12pm. Visalia. Graveside services will be held 10:30am Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Beverly Jane Wilhelm

February 22, 1940 - September 13, 2024