Lester E Willhite

Lester E. Willhite, of Sullivan, MO was born on Tuesday, August 30, 1932 in Dillard, MO to William Arthur Willhite and Ila Emaline Willhite (nee Turnbough).  He passed away at Dunsford Court Memory Care Center in Sullivan, MO, on Monday, August 22, 2022 at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 23 days.

Lester graduated from Cherryville High School in 1951.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in June of 1952 where he worked as an aircraft mechanic.  Lester served honorably for 20 years, serving in the Vietnam War and the Pueblo Incident in Korea in 1968. He retired in August 1972.  Lester married his high school sweetheart, Hazel Fern Parrett on July 7, 1954 in St. Louis, MO and to this union two children were born.  He accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in his teens and was baptized when he was 29.  Lester was an active member of the Cabool Christian Church in Cabool, MO where he served as a deacon and an elder.  He taught Sunday school and worked with the youth.  Lester most recently attended Sullivan Christian Church in Sullivan, MO.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and being outdoors.  He had the opportunity to hunt wild sheep in Hawaii, deer in Michigan and Montana, and to fish in Canada.  Lester was a member of the VFW in Sullivan, MO.  Most of all, Lester loved to spend time with his family, friends and to attend church activities. 

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ila Willhite; parents-in-law Herman and Golden Parrett; son David Willhite; sister Elsie (Wilbur) Sheets; brothers Lodis (Pearl) Willhite, Loran Willhite, Lowell (Virginia) Willhite, Louis (Mariam) Willhite, and Lindell Willhite; brothers-in-law Warren (Argie) Parrett, Delmar (Mildred) Parrett, and Ray Parrett; and sister-in-law Helen (Norman) Webb.

Lester is survived by his wife Hazel Fern Willhite of Sullivan, MO; daughter Nancy (James) Bennett of Bridgeton, MO; sisters-in-law Nellie Willhite of Davisville, Jean Willhite of Bridgeton, MO and Bonnie (Paul) Bennett of Springfield, MO; granddaughter Victoria Bennett (fiancé John Terris); great grandson Leonidas “Leo” Littlefield; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO.  Funeral service was at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO with Brother Rodney Farthing officiating.  Burial was at Old Dillard Cemetery in Dillard, MO with full military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or the Show Me Christian Children’s Home.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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