Walter Leon Wilhite, 90, of Sorento, died on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, located at 201 S. Main St. in Sorento. A Masonic service will begin at 6:30 p.m., prior to the end of visitation. Funeral will be at 11 a.m., Monday, March 4, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ralph Ward officiating. Burial will be at Sunny Side Cemetery following the funeral.
Mr. Wilhite was born Nov. 1, 1933, in McDowell, MO, the son of Walter and Stella Elizabeth (Baird) Wilhite. He married Barbara Jeane Hines in Florence, MS, on July 3, 1954, and they were married for over 69 years.
He worked hard and diligently throughout his life providing for his family. He was a supervisor for Nooter Corporation and a boilermaker in St. Louis for nearly 40 years.
He was a member of the 560 Madison County Lodge in New Douglas, Ainad Shriners of Southern Illinois, East St. Louis, founding member of the Bond County Shrine Club, where he was a very active member, Mr. Wilhite was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army, 82 Airborne Division, where he made 42 jumps with his wife’s picture in his helmet. He proudly carried the title of Scoutmaster during his son’s scouting years.
Mr. Wilhite was a loving and caring person who had a great sense of humor and was quite a jokester. He was a devout family man who instilled good values and work ethic in his children. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren. He was an expert woodworker with an extraordinary talent for designing and crafting furniture that fill the homes of family members. He made many unique items for his family and for his community.
Mr. Wilhite was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Florence Ada Wilhite, Mary Faulkner, Meda Call, Emma Everright, Mamie Ethel Hoskins, Edward Wilhite, James Farris Wilhite, Marvin Paul Wilhite and Hubert Lee Wilhite.
Mr. Wilhite is survived by his wife, Barbara Wilhite of Sorento; children, Sandra (Daniel) Kuhn of Pocahontas, James Leon (Shelly) Wilhite of Sorento, Michael (Jane) Wilhite of Greenville and honorary son David (Deb) Massena; grandchildren, Kelly, Dennis, Nathan, Annie, Angie, Amy, Lorelei, Michael, Patricia, Nicole, James and Jeffrey; 34 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.
The family requests that memorials be given to the Bond County Shrine Club, in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, as the Shriners were a very important part of Mr. Wilhite’s life. Memorials may be given at the visitation and funeral or mailed to: Bond County Shrine Club, PO Box 140, Pocahontas, IL 62275.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
