William Henry Wallbaum

"To everything there is a time of the season, and a time for every purpose under heaven"

William Henry Wallbaum was born as a New Years baby in the early evening hours on January 1st of 1947, to Anthony Frederick and Francis Elizabeth (Jennings) Wallbaum in Jacksonville, Illinois. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, was a particularly fond memory for Dad and he would speak about what a great time in America that it would prove to be. He was an only child with a fantastic mind for creativity and the stories of his adventures growing up were favorites with the family. The coming age of Rock and Roll music during that time had a profound influence on him and he enjoyed the music of The Platters, The Ventures, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, and as every red?blooded American at any time can agree; Elvis Presley. He idolized Elvis through his entire life and it was one of the first real moments that we remember seeing him break in grief when news of Elvis’s passing was broadcast in 1977. I am so grateful to my sister that her last gift to him was to take him to an airing of Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert… only a few days previous…. He would admit that it was one of the greatest gifts of his life.  Dad was a natural born craftsman with everything he did. If something could be fixed or maintained, he had the confidence, the skill, and the intellect to do it. His interests were varied and eclectic. He enjoyed woodworking, home remodeling, and he was adept at computer building and maintaining. He was very astute at auto repair and maintenance, and rebuilt several classic cars in his 30’s and 40’s. He was an avid story-teller as most who knew him would readily attest. He enjoyed history and was quite knowledgeable in most areas, particularly in biblical history. But of all the accomplishments he possessed, one of his proudest undertakings was joining his son in the home inspection field in the early 2000’s. He was a natural for the job with ironically his first inspection event occurring in our first family home in the early 1970’s. He had recognized a dangerous Carbon Monoxide leak from the home’s furnace when my sister and I were only toddlers, and he quite literally saved the entire family. He was a rock. But allow me to back up: Dad and Mom met before they were old enough for kindergarten. Their respective families were inseparable over their entire childhood and as a result, Dad and Mom were in love before either of them was old enough to even know what the term meant. Their formidable years were, as most kids’ would be; ‘girls are icky and boys are ruffians’ with plenty of stories of teasing and roughhousing. They had their typical up’s and down’s all through growing up but always found their way back to each other. In 1965, as a young man of 18, Dad was drafted into the U.S. Army and became stationed in Ft. Gordon for Basic training. Despite suffering from inherited eye impairment issues, he earned the highest honor and accompanying medal of sharpshooter … His eye issues prevented some MOS choices with his rifle prowess, but Dad was also a natural with electronics and soon became a master at radio communications and was tasked with electronic development inside the army tech. He was considered a bit too valuable to be sent to Vietnam and was instead scheduled for another duty assignment in Thailand. However my dad had other ideas… Always the clever fox, he convinced the chaplain that he had to get back to marry his girl and to make her an honest woman. Truth be told they were never familiar before marriage. (A concept now entirely forgotten I know, but one not forsaken at that time) And as often as I have teased my mother for their August nuptials and my September birth, she has never failed (nor fails) to remind me of an entire 13 month difference. (A secret we shall keep from Uncle Sam if we don’t mind.) He rushed back to her in August of 1966 on a brief pass, marrying the girl of his dreams on the 15thof that month before he even set foot inside his parent’s house to say hello; he only 19 and she 18 at the time. As an only child, a hardship discharge in November of 1966 cast a shadow over the eventual death of his own father within just a few short years; a terrible event that only steeled his resolve toward his family. Caring for his widowed mother, a new wife, and 2 children, Dad and mom together created a wonderful life for their family. He eventually gained employment with a factory in Decatur, Illinois creating air conditioning compressors for Ford Motor Company… but this was to be only the beginning. Moving from central Illinois to Longmont, Colorado in 1980 he and mom created a new life for our family shifting from a life of relative comfort into one of modesty. Rebuilding while teaching their children to make of their lives what they wanted. My sister and my lives have been unique in the fact of how our parents lived their lives, maintained solidity in their marriage that few ever do anymore, and we are proud and honored to have been blessed by the love they knew for each other and for their family. Dad and mom were looking forward to a 60 year anniversary in August, a milestone that will remain a chance to rekindle memories of their life together. Condensing the life of such a powerfully loved man into a few words is never an easy task. Dad’s impact touched, in such profound ways, the many people that had the good fortune to know him. He was an instructor, a quiet giant and a best friend, a pillar of strength always, a bright light in times of darkness and a companion on every journey. He was truly an inspiration for a generation and one that we were so privileged to have all to ourselves as the patriarch of our family. 

William Henry Wallbaum joined his parents in the Kingdom of God at 2:05pm on March 22nd, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife Diana Star Wallbaum, his son William, daughter Melody, Grandchildren; William, Anthony, Corey and Brandi and five great-grandchildren.