William E. Kuhlmann (Bill) age 84, of St. Louis passed away on June 28 after a short illness surrounded by family at home.
Bill was born August 14, 1937 to William and Naomi Kuhlmann in St. Louis, MO. Bill graduated from Hadley Vocational Technical High School In 1955.
Bill started work shortly thereafter at Laclede Steel as a technical draftsman, but his career was interrupted and Bill served our country in the Navy for almost two years aboard the USS Antietam aircraft carrier. He was honorably discharged in October of 1957 and returned to work.
While at Laclede Steel, Bill met the love of his life Judy Enke. They were married on September 6, 1958 in Bem, Missouri and were married for almost 64 years. Bill and Judy had three sons, Kurt, Kip, and Kelly.
During Bill’s almost 60 year professional career he shared his knowledge and experience in the construction industry while working for Fruco Engineers and Fruin Colin Construction, Missouri Portland Cement Company, G.L. Tarlton Construction, Affholder Inc., Kroeger Construction, St. Louis Steel to name a few. Bill served for many years as an instructor for the Ironworkers 396 apprenticeship program where he taught the apprentices to read blueprints and how to use instruments for layout.
Bill was a devoted family man and was very proud of his sons and their families. He was blessed with three daughters-in-law and the mere mention of his eight grand-children and eight great grand-children brought huge smile to his face.
Bill always had a story and never met a stranger. He would easily strike up a conversation with anyone. He was always willing to lend a helping hand no matter what the cause. Bill enjoyed spending time with family and friends and trips to the lake house at the Ozarks and the farm in Northeast Missouri.
Bill had strong faith in God and was a member of Bethesda Church in Lemay for over 60 years. He was a proud member of the MOB (Men Of Bethesda). Bill was also a member of the Tesson Ferry Township Republican Club and was selected as the 2019 ROY (Republican of the Year).
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife Judy of the home, his brothers Robert and Lawrence, his children Kurt (Carol) of Shawnee, Kansas, Kip (Tammi) of Oakville, Kelly (Lynn) of Oakville. His grand children John Kuhlmann (Meaghan), Sarah Kitts (Sean), Stephen Kuhlmann (Kathleen), Tyler Kuhlmann, Kaitlin Kuhlmann, Jessica Kuhlmann, Mikayla Kuhlmann, Brendan Kuhlmann; and eight great-grandchildren Harvey, Liam, Parker, and Wyatt Kuhlmann, and Cody, Eli, and Owen Kitts, and William Kuhlmann.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday July 5th from 4:00-8:00 pm and service of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday July 6th at 11:00 AM at the Kutis Funeral Home South 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63129.
Burial will be at St. Paul’s Churchyard.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bethesda E-Free Church or the American Cancer Society.
Quite a Guy, he always had a Story.
He was always ready to lend a Helping Hand !
Thank you for everything you did for us over the years, we always enjoyed visiting you guys, and you will be sorely missed. Rest easy.
Bill was a kind, gentle giant of a man. As his obit said, he always had a story, a funny joke, or some wisdom to share. I could go on, but I won’t. I’ll be praying for all you dear Kuhlmann’s.
Judy, Kurt, Kip, Kelly and families
Heaven gained a wonderful Angel. Bill will be sooo missed by so many but he has left a legacy of great value…. his family. I am so thankful for all the years of friendship , memories and kindness. Love to you all.
Sherry
He was a wonderful, kind, and caring man! He is loved by many and will be missed very much. God Bless all of the family and give them help in their grief.
Ken Faust : Bill was good man and good friend. I’ll miss him.
As his next, younger brother, I was always impressed as how smart he was. He won a science fair, at Washington University while still at Hadley Tech.
As junior draftsman, he eventually took charge of the Tom Sauk damn in southern Missouri, circa 1960-1962.
Another time, he was flown to California, to interview for a job, (on a TWA, Super G Constellation), very shortly after graduation from Hadley Tech, when it was not vogue, and unheard of back then. He turned the job down. He didn’t want to leave St. Louis.
He, accomplished so much, very early in his career, which morphed into a stellar and storied, successful, amazing career, as outlined.
Rest in peace , my brother. You will be surely missed, by many. “Ya did good bro”!
My sincerest condolences, to Judy, Kurt, Kelly, Kip and their respective families.
Lovingly, with respect and adoration.
Your Brother Bob aka Robert Kuhlmann
A prince of a man, seemed much younger than his age. We will miss him. So sorry for Judy.
We all love and miss you Uncle Bill. You truly will never be forgotten. Hope they take good care of you on the other side. I wish all family and friends healing during such a tragic loss.
LLB️
“Doctor” Kuhlmann taught me many things in the short 2 years we worked together. We went separate ways but the friendship never changed. 40 years disappeared within seconds whose would see each other again.
Bill had PMA. That is a Positive Mental Attitude at all times which I believe he got from his love of Jesus Christ! He was my best friend in the Tesson Ferry Republican Club. He will be greatly missed. We will be praying for the Kuhlmann family.
John Judd
Bill ws a great technican at Mo.Portland alomng with Bob Scharff. He always handled problems with care.
Dad,- caring, loving, kind, mentor, funny, confident, best friend. Just a few words that best describe the great person you were to me. Your legacy will live on forever. You meant so much because you taught so much and you cared so much. I will truly miss you and your words of wisdom. Heaven got a Great Guy!
You will be missed Bill. You were such a positive influence on everyone you met, including me. You were such a great longtime neighbor and friend to Mom and I. I will be forever grateful for knowing you. We will be there for Judy, but I know you’ll be watching over her and all of us.