NCBA Hall of Fame Personal Biographies

Benny Wilhelm

Inducted February 17, 2001

Service:

  • NCBA Associate Council: Benny Wilhelm has served on the Associate Council during the following years: 1989-1991; 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; and continuing into the year 2000.
  • NCBA Anti-Poacher Program Coordinator: 1993-2000
  • Local Chapter Coordinator: Since 1990
  • Regular Lifetime Member: Since 1991
  • NCBA Official Measurer: Since 1982
  • NCBA Records Committee: Since 1999
  • Official Pope & Young Measurer: Since 1992
  • West Rowan Bowhunters: Benny was instrumental in the formation of this NCBA Local Chapter Club and has also served the club for many years.
  • NCBA Presidential Award: 1985
  • NCBA Outstanding Service Award: 1994

Benny has several listing in the NCBA All-Time Records Listing

Benny Wilhelm has taken many more animals with bow and arrow in legal and ethical methods of fair chase. Possibly others, ie: friends, family members, etc., can add to this listing above of Benny's "Service" and "Bowhunting Accomplishments."

I have attached a copy of a magazine article that ran in the August 2000 issue of Carolina Adventure Magazine. It is titled, "The Pied Piper of Tar Heel Bowhunting" and was written by Dan Kibler. The article outlines many events that have occurred over the past twenty years or so. The article says that Benny is one hunter that is sincerely dedicated to making hunting as enjoyable for others as it has been for him since his youth in the Iredell County woods. Past President Connie Tysinger says Benny is a good ambassador for the sport of bowhunting. He works with kids of all ages to help promote the sport. He spends a lot of time teaching youngsters not only how to handle a bow, but he gives them hunting tips too. In fact, there's an endless list of names of people Benny has taken hunting that have harvested a deer. Jeff Edwards, president of West Rowan Bowhunters says that just about anything I can think of to say about Benny Wilhelm usually involves something he's done for somebody else. Connie adds, "If there's something going on, he's in the middle of it. He's got a lot of good ideas, and he's done a lot for the sport."

Jeff Edwards met Benny at work in the early 1980's. After talking a while, they found out they both loved archery. At that time, a group was trying to form a club in the area. That club is now West Rowan Bowhunters. Benny came and spoke to the club members and got them lined up to join NCBA as a Local Chapter. Benny invited Jeff to go hunting with him and they've been hunting together for the last 15 years or so.

I believe it is evident by the longevity of Benny Wilhelm's dedication to the sport of Bowhunting and to NCBA, that his commitment is for real. For as long as I have known him, I know of NO instance when Benny has not stepped forward to volunteer for a duty that needed to be done. Often, when no one else seemed to want to accept the responsibility for a specific project, position, or whatever. Benny could always be depended upon to step forward and take the initiative to simply "get the job done." Bowhunting in North Carolina has a real and sincere friend in Benny Wilhelm. And, he is completely deserving of the nomination and election to the "North Carolina Bowhunter Hall of Fame." Again, I wish to add my name to the endorsement of his nomination for this honor.

Benny was inducted February 17, 2001 at the 15th Annual NCBA Awards Banquet in Asheville, N.C.

Nominated by: Emily Wilhelm; Seconded by: Ramon N. Bell

| 1.14.2010 |