Ashley Ann Wilhelm, 27, of Independence, MO passed away April 4, 2019. Visitation will be 1-2pm with Memorial service to follow at 2pm, Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Coventry Estates Baptist Church, 17133 E 39th St. South, Independence, MO 64055. Memorial contributions may be made to Raymond Wilhelm to help with funeral expenses.
Ashley was born March 4, 1992 in Kansas City, MO to Raymond Wilhelm and Tonya Reeves. She was the first born of each of her parents. Her father gave her 2 sisters. She leaves those siblings, Shelby and Peyton Wilhelm. Her mother gave her 4 siblings that she leaves; Michael Duncan Jr, Kealoni, Malaki, and Salia Fuimano. Ashley also leaves behind her Aunt Rikki Herron, with whom she was raised as a sister, and Rikki’s daughter Ailyah. She also leaves her Uncle Buddy, his wife Felicia, and their 2 children, Uncle Daniel Reeves, Uncle Russ and his daughter Randi, Aunt Mona (Wilhelm) and her 2 daughters, grandmother Joanne (Wilhelm), and grandfather David Reeves. In addition, Ashley leaves her stepmother: Lisa Dietz, whose home she shared at the time of her passing. As well as Lisa’s boyfriend, Anthony Bennett, whom Ashley referred to as “T-Dog”, and step sisters, Brianna Miller, Madee Stecker, and their children.
Ashley had hundreds of friends who all were very important to her, because Ashley never knew a stranger! Her smile was infectious and her beautiful bright eyes could draw anyone in. Ashley could be called a bit of a “wild one”, but that’s only because she loved life and lived hers to the fullest. Her most well know catch phrase was “I do what I want” (much to the dismay at the time, of her parents! LOL) Ashley almost never wore a frown. Her upbeat, positive attitude and ability to always find the silver lining in any situation was an inspiration to everyone she knew. Ashley was beautiful. So beautiful…inside and out! She put little emphasis on possessions or money and would gladly end up giving everything away if she felt it could help the recipient or even just to make someone happy. Ashley was all about happiness. Even if she was not, she wouldn’t show it, which brings us to her strength. Her strength was like nothing but very few could fully comprehend, let alone hope to have. When Ashely was first diagnosed with the brain tumor 7 years ago, her strength was tested for the first time. A year later, at her second surgery it was tested again. She learned to walk and talk again to remaster the daily functions of life. Even though it got her down occasionally, the fact that her memory was never again to be what it was before, she stayed strong and turned it into something to have fun with. Ashley was remarkable! And not a selfish bone in her body. She often said she was just glad it was her and not one of her siblings. So in memory of Ashley let’s all spread a little happiness everywhere we go…and maybe we can make our world a better place for the rest of our children to grow up in. Ashley would like that.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem, Independence, MO 816-796-8600