Dr. John Webster Willhide DDS

Dr. John Webster Willhide, DDS, 87, of Fredericksburg, died peacefully in Richmond on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with loved ones at his bedside.
John was born to the late Elsie Adeline Willhide and Stark Arnold Willhide, Jr. on October 11, 1937, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, spending his early years in Cass, West Virginia. He graduated from William Fleming High School in Roanoke, Virginia in 1956, excelling in academics and sports. John attended the University of Virginia on a full academic scholarship, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a proud member of the football and lacrosse teams, as well as a student leader and member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. John maintained his involvement with the university throughout his life as a member of the UVA Alumni Foundation, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, and a longtime tailgater at home football games.
After graduating from the Medical College of Virginia with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1963, John joined the United States Army, serving in the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany until honorably discharged with the rank of Major in 1967.
Moving to Fredericksburg in 1968 to start his dental practice, John had a true passion for dentistry and continuing education, believing that one must remain involved to contribute genuinely to the profession. John held fellowships with the Virginia Dental Association, The American College of Dentists, The International College of Dentists, The Pierre Fauchard Academy, and The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He was a member of the Rappahannock Dental Society, The Virginia Dental Association, and was President of The Northern Virginia Dental Society.
The dental practice was John's second home, and his patients and employees, most of whom worked with him for decades, were nothing short of family. In the evenings, John would call new patients to put them at ease and recovering patients to ensure they were comfortable. His dedication to his craft was out of a desire to help others.
John's community interests included preserving historic buildings with the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, for which he was President in the early 1980s. John was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and other leadership positions, and twice served as a medical missionary at El Hogar, an Episcopal orphanage and school in Honduras. In later years, John was a lay reader at St. Georges Episcopal Church, and attended Christ Episcopal Church in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
John loved his evening runs and sitting on the porch with the love of his life, Frieda, at their home at Berry Plains Landing in King George. He enjoyed skiing, tennis, hiking, loading the family into the car on a Sunday afternoon for a famous "wild goose chase" car trip, and an unending supply of Old Fashions for the holidays. Most of all, John loved sitting on the beach in Hilton Head, South Carolina with kids, grandkids, and friends, old and new. In his later years, Debbie Sandstrom was a close friend and companion who enriched John's life.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Frieda; and is survived by his three children, Gavin Starke Willhide of Lawrenceville, Anne Brookfield Willhide of Richmond, and Curry Adams Blanton of Alexandria; three stepchildren, Hunter Campbell Morin of Connecticut, Page Morin Rossetter of Connecticut, and Cary Stanzel Morin of Charlottesville; and 11 grandchildren, Avery Elizabeth Willhide, Caroline Larkspur Willhide, Jax Starke Willhide, Nicholas August Willhide, Janet Lilly Blanton, James Everett Blanton, Phebe Cathryn Morin, Hunter Ryland Rossetter, G. Torrey Rossetter, and Morin Hildreth Hubbard.
John was also preceded in death by his 5-year-old grandson, Luke Wyatt Morin. "Papa John" and Luke made many special memories while he was alive. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Luke's Posse at https://morganadamsfoundation.org/lukesposse/. 100% of your donation will fund research into the illness that took Luke too soon.
A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held this spring, with details to be provided soon.