Hershel O'Neil Whitworth

Hershel was first, last, and always a family man. He shared sixty years of love and partnership with his wife, Lillian Whitworth, and he was endlessly proud of "his boys," whose names he repeated with quiet pride at every turn. Our family circle feels different now that his steady presence has slipped from everyday view.

Born in Birmingham, AL, Hershel answered a higher call early on, entering the Marine Corp in 1965 and rising to the rank of Sergeant during deployments in Vietnam and Okinawa. His sense of duty shaped the disciplined, reliable way he lived the rest of his days. We often pointed to his uniformed photo as proof that determination can still wear a gentle smile.

When he came home for good, he went to college at the University of Tennessee in Nashville and received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Shortly after graduation, he began working with the State of Tennessee and eventually the Army Corp of Engineers serving the middle Tennessee area in water management.

As a pastime, Hershel turned his hands to wood. He crafted sturdy furniture and small knickknacks that now sit in every room of the house, quiet reminders of hours spent at his workbench. Each piece carries his careful touch and the faint scent of fresh-cut pine he always seemed to wear.

Hershel felt most alive under an open sky. He loved hiking the Great Smoky Mountains, and family trips to Gatlinburg, TN were his favorite way to share that love with us. At home, he found peace mowing the yard or steering his tractor along familiar rows, the rumble of the engine as comforting to him as any song.

Faith anchored his weeks. He attended services with us at First Baptist in White House. His belief was steady, never loud, and it shaped how he listened, forgave, and helped.

What we remember most is his dry wit and the quick spark of humor that could break the tensest moment. Hershel was hardworking, intelligent, and responsible, and somehow, he managed to laugh at himself as easily as he laughed with us. Those traits, lived honestly every day, are the lessons he leaves behind.

Hershel passed away unexpectedly in Portland, TN, and the quiet that followed felt strange at first. Still, his life keeps speaking through the furniture he built, the trails he walked, and the faith he practiced. We carry him forward with deep gratitude, promising to love one another as steadfastly as he loved us.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Bertha Whitworth, and brother, Gene Whitworth.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are wife, Lillian Whitworth, sons, Christopher (Becky) Whitworth, Brian Whitworth, and Tim Whitworth, grandsons, Noah and Micah, sister, Marie Buck, and nieces, Sonnie and Shelly.

Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216, 615-865-1101, https://www.springhillfh.com