William Wiehl Obituary

WILLIAM HARPER WIEHL and PAMELA POWELL WIEHL

William Harper "Bill" Wiehl, 95, passed away on September 23, 2023 and Pamela Damon Powell "Pam" Wiehl, 93, died peacefully on January 25, 2025. Together, they were loving spouses, parents and grandparents who cherished spending time with their extended family. They nurtured close relationships with their nieces, nephews and cousins, creating lasting memories during family gatherings and vacations over the years.

William Harper Wiehl

Bill was born on January 3, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Ernest and Lucile Wiehl. The family relocated to Scarsdale, New York, in 1933 and then to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1937. Bill attended Sherman Grammar School and spent his first two years at Fairfield High School. In 1943, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 82. He then continued his education at Loomis Chaffee in Windsor, Connecticut, graduating in 1944.

Bill went on to attend MIT in Boston, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. A member of the ROTC, Bill also became a lifetime member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. In 1948, he pursued further studies at Stanford Business School in Palo Alto, California.

Pamela Damon Powell Wiehl

Pam was born on March 9, 1931, in New York City, the daughter of Edward and Muriel Powell. The family moved to Westport, Connecticut, where she attended grammar school and graduated from Staples High School in 1949. Pam went on to study Philosophy at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953.

Family, Business and Community

Bill and Pam were married on June 4 1954 at Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport. After their wedding, the couple lived in La Jolla, California, for several years, where Bill worked at Ryan Aircraft. They returned to Westport in 1959 when Bill joined the family business, Consumers Petroleum, a heating oil and gas company with operations across southern New England.

Bill and Pam later settled in Weston, Connecticut, where they lived on the Saugatuck River and raised their family over nearly three decades.

Bill founded Wiehl Properties, a commercial real estate investment firm, specializing in industrial properties across Connecticut. His children, Bill and Kim, joined the company and succeeded him following his retirement in 2015.

Pam was deeply involved in the community, serving as a member of the Weston Garden Club, the Junior League of Fairfield and the Naples Garden Club. Passionate about the outdoors, she enjoyed gardening, whether cultivating flowers and vegetables in Weston or tending to tropical plants in Naples. Pam was an avid tennis player, continuing to play until the age of 85, and was also an accomplished swimmer, snow skier and water skier.

A lifelong learner, Pam pursued her interests in philosophy and literature, taking graduate-level evening courses. She was also highly creative, dedicating time to flower arranging, interior design, painting, ceramics and various crafts.

Bill was an energetic sportsman, who loved hunting and fishing with his father. Throughout his life, he enjoyed boating on both Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Naples. In his college years, Bill learned to fly seaplanes and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed tennis, especially playing mixed doubles with Pam, and was an expert snow skier and water skier.

A car enthusiast, Bill had a special fondness for vintage European and American sports cars, including several Ferraris and Porsches. He also competed in car racing for a number of years, racing at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and winning numerous trophies in his class.

Bill was an active member of the Weston community, where he led the Indian Scouts and volunteered as an ambulance driver for several years. He also dedicated time to the Visiting Nurses Association of Fairfield County.

For over 20 years, Bill and Pam spent their winters in Naples, Florida, returning to their Westport townhome in Regents Park each summer. They enjoyed boating on Long Island Sound and spent many memorable evenings with friends at the Fairfield Beach Club. Together, they traveled extensively - skiing in the Alps, cruising the Mediterranean and visiting family in England.

Survivors and Legacy

Bill and Pam were predeceased by their daughter, Sandra D. Wiehl. They are survived by their children, Kimberly H. Wiehl and William P. Wiehl; granddaughters, Natalie and Lindsay Wiehl; Bill's sister, Lucile Wiehl Allsopp and their nieces and nephews.

As a couple, who were married for nearly 70 years, Bill and Pam will be remembered for their devotion to family, their contributions to their communities and their zest for life. They touched the lives of many and leave behind a legacy of love, adventure and accomplishment.