Bruce Lee Wilhelm was born on September 13, 1933, in Akron, Ohio. Bruce married his first wife Elizabeth on August 11, 1957, and they were married until her death on April 20, 1990. Bruce married his second wife, Mary, on March 15, 1992. Bruce had three children: John, Chad, and Lee.

Wilhelm was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1954.