Paul Wilhelmsen

Paul James Wilhelmsen grew up in Prescott, Arizona and was loved by many, many people everywhere he lived – Prescott – Las Vegas – Mesa – Tempe - Durango.

Paul had a deep passion for the game of baseball and he always dreamed he would make it to “the show.” He was very proud that he had the opportunity to play baseball with some of the greatest players ever to play his beloved game.

As a 6’6” (he used to always dismiss the “rounding up” and say, “I am 6’5” ¾, not 6”6’”), left-handed pitcher - he was an intimidating force on the mound. He loved throwing his “slurve” – a slider/curve ball hybrid – because, although it didn’t have the powerful strike potential of a 98 mph fastball, it would mess with a hitter’s mind and sneak right by him. Paul was so damn smart that he could mess with your mind if he wanted to, and his “slurve” was his secret weapon.

Paul didn’t make it to the show, but as a navigational whiz kid and a map reading genius, he created a life of adventure for himself and his loved ones in the wilderness and in domesticated suburbia. He was most at peace in the wilderness and in nature and had an undercurrent of restlessness in the “concrete jungle.”

Paul always yearned to master the art of fully opening his huge heart and spirit to those he loved the most, but such mastery eluded him. The reality of this troubled him greatly.

Paul found joy in seeing his daughter born and nurturing her early in her life; watching the sunrise and sunset looking out over the ocean in Rocky Point; hanging out at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival; camping, hiking and rafting in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington; and bullsh**ing with anyone who was willing to listen to him share what was in that big, complex brain of his.

Paul was truly one of a kind and he left behind many, many people who love him very much.

Rest in Peace Willy, Pablo, Tall Paul.

Rest in Peace.