John Thomas Willhoit

John Willhoit passed away on February 4, 2026, at John Muir Hospital in Concord California. He was a resident of Diablo Valley for 40 years.

John and his twin Jim were born August 12, 1949, to parents Alfred and Frances Willhoit of Templeton, CA.

John carried Templeton in his heart for his entire life. His early years at Templeton Schools (K-12) were filled with sports, friendships, and the kind of small town memories that stay with a person forever. No matter where he lived or worked, Templeton was always "home," and he loved returning to visit old friends and reconnect with the people who shaped his early years.

John's path took him to Cal Poly SLO, where he earned a degree in finance - a milestone of which he was proud. He went on to build a career as an appraiser, a profession that suited his steady nature, his attention to detail, and his genuine interest in people's stories and the places they called home. During his Commercial and Residential appraising career John worked in Sacramento with Wells Fargo Bank, Carson City Nevada with Mahoney Appraisal Services and for Jess Smyers Appraising in Walnut Creek. He finished his appraising career in Martinez when he retired from the Contra Costa County Assessor's office.

Before that chapter began, John spent meaningful years working for Jack Allen at the lumber yard in Templeton, where he became known for his reliability, his easygoing humor, and the constant presence of his dog Edsel, who rode along with him on lumber deliveries. Those who knew John can still picture the two of them-truck windows down, Edsel's head out the side, John waving to familiar faces.

What defined John most wasn't his résumé, but his heart. He had a quiet, instinctive compassion for people who were struggling. He often helped the homeless in simple, human ways - offering food, a warm coat, a blanket, or a sleeping bag when he could. He never did it for recognition. He did it because he couldn't walk past someone who was cold or hungry without trying to help.

John lived with loyalty, humor, and a generosity that asked for nothing in return. Those who knew him-whether from school days, the lumber yard, his appraisal work, or the many friendships he gathered along the way-carry pieces of his kindness with them.

John will be remembered not just for the life he lived, but for the warmth he shared and the way he made people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for.

He is survived by his twin brother Jim (Georgette), of Fresno, Sharon Ouimet of Highlands Ranch, CO, Mike Willhoit (Carolyn) of Lake Almanor and Cayucos and Dick Willhoit of Paso Robles. Also, his constant companion and beloved cat, Max. He is also survived by his many nephews and nieces and cousins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 25th at Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel from 4:00 – 8:00pm and: Friday, February 27th at Kuehl Nicolay Funeral Chapel, Paso Robles from 1:00 - 5:00pm.

A remembrance will be held graveside Monday, March 2nd at Paso Robles District Cemetery at 11:00am

Reception to follow at the shop, 3690 Buena Vista Dr., Paso Robles