 That offseason, he was traded by the Royals to the California Angels for Ed Kirkpatrick and Dennis Paepke.Wilhelm pitched 44 games for the 1969 California Angels and had a 2.47 ERA, ten saves, and a 5–7 record.On September 8, 1969, Wilhelm and Bob Priddy were traded to the Atlanta Braves for Clint Compton and Mickey Rivers.