FROM HIS BROTHER LESTER'S "DANIEL O'FLAHERTY FAMILY HISTORY": Wilmer attended the public schools in Shenandoah County and the Richmond Academy in Richmond, Virginia, received a B.A. degree from Richmond College in 1911 where he was manager of the football team and active in student politics. Received his LLB from T. C. Williams Law School of the University of Richmond in 1915 where he was president of the law class, member of Kappa Alpha, Delta Theta Phi and Omicrom Delta Kappa fraternities. He taught Latin at Fork Union Military from 1911-12 and at the Richmond Academy 1912-13. Started law practice at his Uncle D.C.'s law firm...O'Flaherty, Fulton and Byrd of Richmond, June 1915. His law practice was interrupted by service in World War I where he was an applicant for the first training camp for officers at Fort Myer, Virginia, in April 1917 - disqualified because of ineptness on colors; he entered the army as a private, April 1, 1918 and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry, at Camp Forrest, Georgia. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in Infantry, August 10, 1918 and assigned to 17th Battallion, 163rd Brigade, Camp Dodge, Iowa; qualified for overseas service, September 9, 1918 and was discharged at Camp Dodge on December 4, 1918. After World War I he returned to the practice of law in Richmond and has been a practicing attorney ever since (1918-1971), over 50 years (as presently written).

From 1918-1971 he has served in many capacities; was State Counsel for the Home Owners Loan Corporation in 1933-1940; alumni trustee of the University of Richmond 1933-1964; secretary of the Richmond City Electoral Board 1925-1933 and 1940-1970 until his retirement. He is a charter member of the Battery Park Christian Church in Richmond and was Superintendent of the Sunday School for 20 years, 1921-1941; a teacher in the Sunday School and served as an Elder in the Church for many years. He has been a member of the American Legion continuously since its organization in 1918 and has taken an active part in the American Legion on a city, state and national level, having served as Post Commander, Judge Advocate of the Department of the Virginia and National Executive Committeeman from the Department of Virginia. Wilmer is also a 50-year member of the 40 and 8 Society, a group composed of all war veterans.
"A signal honor was bestowed upon the well-known World War I veteran at the Virginia Department Convention at Virginia Beach in 1962 when he was named the Virginia Legion's first and only Honorary Post Department Commander." (1)

Wilmer is a member of the Richmond, the Virginia and the American Bar Associations, is a member and holder of a 50 year membership card of Dove Lodge, A.F. and A.M.; charter member, past president and holder of 50 year membership card of Richmond First Club, past president of the Community Recreation Association, past president of the Lewis Ginter Community House; was also Secretary-Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of Richmond Bridge Corporation which built the Lee Bridge.

Wilmer became a member of the Richmond Rotary Club in October 1940 and by 1970 had a 30 year perfect attendance record of attending weekly. He served on all important committees of the Club and was Secretary and Vice President of the Richmond Rotary Club, becoming its President in 1954.

Wilmer L. O'Flaherty married Celeste Anderson, March 27, 1918, in Richmond, Virginia, and they had two children, Mayme Frayser and William Anderson O'Flaherty.

(1) Virginia Legionaire, Volume XLIV, No. 2, Feb 1970