William B. Wehmeyer
William Bernard “Bernie” Wehmeyer, 79, of St. James, Missouri (formerly of Sullivan), passed away on January 29, 2020, with family by his side at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia.
Bernie was born June 17, 1940, in Thebes, Illinois, to parents William Charles “Bill” Wehmeyer and Elsie (Workman) Wehmeyer. His family moved to Sullivan when Bernie was 12 years old, where he attended school in Sullivan and worked at his family’s business, Brown Supermarket.
He was a basketball player at Sullivan High School, then attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, and joined the Missouri National Guard shortly thereafter. In 1961, he married Linda Nelson of Sullivan and they reared three children together, during which time he worked for local supermarkets, Thrifty and Kroger as well as various supermarkets in the St. Louis region through his membership with the UFCW Local 88 union.
At 29 years of age, Bernie was one of the youngest to become a “Worshipful Master,” the highest officer status, at the Masonic Lodge #69 of Sullivan.
As many know, Bernie was a good golfer and longtime club member at the Sullivan Country Club. He played on the men’s league and won the club championship several times. He continued to enjoy playing golf with friends and family throughout his life.
In 1986, Bernie married Jenny Hancock Iten., They lived on a farm at St. James, where he enjoyed raising cattle. After National Supermarket closed at Rolla in 1997, Bernie drove a tour coach for Mid American Coaches throughout the US and Canada until retiring in 2016.”
Bernie is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jenny Wehmeyer; his daughter, Margaret Wehmeyer; his son, Wm. Kurt Wehmeyer; his daughter, Gwen Scaman; Jenny's children, Toby Iten, Timothy Iten, and Tommi Iten; grandchildren, Cole and Cale Iten; great-grandson, Avery Iten, and great-granddaughter Amelia Iten; a host of extended family and many friends. Bernie was loved by many, and will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Bernie was preceded in death by his father, Wm. Charles “Bill” Wehmeyer; mother, Elsie Wehmeyer; and sister, Beverly Wehmeyer.
Funeral service for William Bernard Wehmeyer was held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 1p.m. at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Jerry Baumann officiating. Internment followed at the Hancock Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends was held at the Chapel prior to the service from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Memorials are suggested and greatly appreciated to the Masonic Lodge.