Paul Frank Willhite

Paul Frank Willhite, 84, of Point-Wilhite, Louisiana died peacefully surrounded by his family, on February 4, 2026, 20 days short of his eighty-fifth birthday. He left behind a life defined by hard work and a quiet devotion to God and the people he loved.

He was born in the Wilhite Community on February 24, 1941. He married Gladys Ava Tidwell on June 7, 1963. He worked as a mechanic, farmer, and school bus driver and was a faithful member of Rocky Branch Assembly of God Church.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Lidya (Liddie) Carter Willhite; his father, Archie Wilhite; and stepmother, Lillian Willhite.

Paul is survived by his wife, Gladys Tidwell Willhite of Point-Wilhite, Louisiana.

He is also survived by his two sons, Joel Wilhite (Mickey) of Millington, Tennessee, and Jonathan Willhite (Tonya) of Point-Wilhite, Louisiana.

Paul leaves behind three grandchildren, Dru Wilhite (Patty) of Clarksville, Tennessee,

Emma Wilhite Warner (Trent) of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Savannah Willhite Smith (Phillip) of Semmes, Alabama.

He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Hud, Halle, Norah, Heidi, and Banks.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Paul spent his life working with his hands and his mind. He was a gifted mechanic with a natural understanding of how things worked, able to fix nearly anything that came his way -especially tractors. He farmed cattle, alicia bermuda grass, and Christmas trees with dedication and pride. He also drove a school bus for 33 years ferrying hundreds of children from the Point- Wilhite community to Downsville High School. He was incredibly self-motivated, teaching himself to play the fiddle and realizing his math skills from high school were deficient, he asked Ms. McCoy for some Algebra II books. After working hard all day in the shop, he would spend evenings studying Algebra.

Known for his strong work ethic, Paul never shied away from a long day's labor. Those who knew him admired his practical intelligence and his ability to solve most any mechanical problem. If something was broken, he could figure it out. He was known for making sure all bolts were coated with Anti-Seize and every alemite fitting was sufficiently greased.

Outside of work, music brought him joy. He loved to play the fiddle and spent many weekends sharing his faith and love of music, singing gospel music with Gladys and several friends in a group that went by "Strings for the Master" at nursing homes and churches in the area. In addition to singing and playing music, he hosted a Sunday morning gospel music radio program on KWJM in Farmerville.

Paul will be remembered as a dependable, hardworking man with a sharp mechanical mind and a love of music. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the work he did, and the music he shared.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Point Assembly of God Church in Downsville. Pastor Justin Uselton and Pastor Thomas Taylor will officiate. Interment will follow at Wilhite Cemetery in Wilhite, Louisiana under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, West Monroe. A visitation for family and friends will be held at 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

Honoring Paul as pallbearers will be David Calloway, Stacey Foote, Steve Jones, Ethan Rushing, Judd Smith and John Tubre.