John R. "Dick" Willhoite

Funeral Service for John R. “Dick” Willhoite will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 2008, at the Sequoyah Baptist Church. Pastor Marvin Potter will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service and Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Wednesday 1-8 p.m. and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.The son of Cleat and Virginia Weaver Willhoite, he was born April 12, 1940, in Nowata. As a child Dick and his family moved to the Sequoyah area. There was nothing he loved doing more than roaming the woods and fields with his brothers. They would hunt, fish, swim in coal pits and get into mischief for days on end. Those early years sparked a passion for adventure, a love of the outdoors and a zeal for life that Dick never outgrew.After graduating from Sequoyah High School in 1958, Dick joined the United States Army, serving until his discharge in 1961. Soon after that he began a 35 year career at American Airlines where he was Shop Foreman. Upon retirement Dick became a home builder and developer.When Dick wasn't at work, he was staying out until the break of dawn listening for the distant baying of one of his coon hounds, or walking endless miles in search of a wild-eyed pointer locked onto a covey of quail, or teeing off at a local golf course. Dick's hobbies became not just passions, but driving obsessions that made him look forward to each and every new day.Dick's hobbies may have been his obsession, but his family was his world. His sharp wit, biting humor and infectious laugh made every family get together an adventure. But behind his brutally honest, matter-of-fact exterior, which he inherited from his mother, was a kindness and wisdom that all those around him could look to for help and guidance. He loved to cut up with his equally rambunctious brothers, but he had a special soft spot in his heart for his beloved sisters.When Dick married his wife, Darlene, he found in her a partner for every aspect of his life. They shared a love of travel, setting out with their camper from the Smokey Mountains to Alaska and many places in between. They also shared an unwavering faith in God, only rivaled by their faith in each other. In his son, Guy, he also had a true friend. They had the good fortune of being able to work with each other the last couple of years. And when they weren't working they spent many days together on the golf course enjoying each others company. Dick was very proud of his grandchildren, Colter and Cortney, and loved spending time with them.All those who knew and loved Dick will miss him tremendously and never forget the youthful enthusiasm with which he lived his life.He is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Willhoite, and sisters, Sue Koster, and Kay Grubbs.Survivors include his wife, Darlene; son, Guy and wife Annette Willhoite; grandchildren, Cortney Willhoite, and Colter and wife Sarah Willhoite, ; Brothers, Jim Willhoite, David and wife Brenda Willhoite, and Joe and wife Debbie Willhoite; and sister, Mary Ann and husband Darrell Dennis. He also had numerous nieces and nephews.View Dick's online tribute and sign his memory book at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com