Hilmer Walter Leinweber, age 87, of San Antonio passed away Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. Born in Hondo on Nov. 9, 1924, he was the second youngest son of August John Leinweber and Wilhelmina Henrietta (Reitzer) Leinweber, with five siblings (four brothers and one sister). He was baptized Nov. 30, 1921, and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hondo on June 14, 1939. Raised on a farm about 10 miles north of Hondo, he went to school with other classmates by walking about two miles through pastures to a small white schoolhouse called the Leinweber School. During the first and second grades, one of his classmates was a girl named Joe Nell Geuea. About 15 years later, she became his wife after someone re-introduced her to Hilmer while he was home on leave from the U.S. Navy. Hilmer attended Hondo High School and then Draughon's Business College until he was drafted into the Navy during World War II. He received his basic naval training at San Diego Naval Base, after which he was selected to go to Colorado University to study naval communications as a radio operator, learning the Morse Code. He then was sent to Los Angeles for advanced training in naval communications. His first assignment for sea duty aboard a ship as a radio operator took him straight around the world, giving him the chance to see many countries. Departing Los Angeles, he saw Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Arabia, Egypt and the Suez Canal, Sicily and Italy before he arrived "home" at Norfolk, VA. On one of his later Pacific voyages, while heading back to the U.S., the Captain asked for a "newspaper," so Hilmer switched to a station broadcasting news via Morse Code in clear language and, to his surprise, learned that the top news story was that the first atomic bomb had just been dropped on Japan. The war ended and Hilmer was re-assigned to a new U.S. Naval Destroyer which headed directly to Japan. Once there, he was permitted to go ashore for a short visit and was amazed how courteous and respectful the people were, stopping to bow when he passed by them on the street. He was subsequently discharged from the Navy on March 15, 1946. Hilmer and Joe Nell were married on Nov. 8, 1946, at St. John's Lutheran Church, San Antonio, and their marriage was blessed with two children, son, Harold and daughter, Linda. Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he became employed with the U.S. Federal Civil Service, mainly at Kelly AFB as an Inventory and Financial Management Specialist He retired in January 1980 following 35-years of federal service. On Nov. 10, 1957, Hilmer and Joe Nell transferred their membership from St. John's Lutheran Church to Hope Lutheran Church. In his earlier years he served the church in various ways, including serving on the church council, occasionally teaching Sunday school, and serving on various committees. He also remained a member of the Masonic Anchor Lodge since Dec. 18, 1952. He enjoyed golfing, deep sea fishing, woodworking, and traveling within the United States. Hilmer is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Milton A., Marvin E. and Eddie A. Leinweber. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joe Nell (Geuea) Leinweber; son, Harold M. Leinweber and wife Sandie of Spring; daughter, Linda J. Leinweber Vance Feichtinger and husband Kirk of Bulverde; grandchildren, Nolan Leinweber, Ryan Vance, Garrett Vance, Rob Barnett, Summer Barnett, Zachary Feichtinger and Matthew Feichtinger; sister, Nora L. Balzen of Hondo; brother, Elton A. "Tony" Leinweber and wife Darlene of Boerne; and sister-in-law, LaVelle Leinweber of San Antonio. Funeral service will be held Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Guinn-Horger Funeral Home Chapel, Hondo. Interment will follow at Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. Bearers were Garrett Vance, Ryan Vance, Nolan Leinweber, Neal Owens, James Geuea, and Gary Leinweber. The family suggests memorials may be made to a church or charity of one's choice.