William "Kent" Willhite

William Kent Willhite was born March 21, 1953 in Lamar, Colorado. He was the first of four children born to Bill and Roberta Willhite of Holly, Colorado. He passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026 in Centennial, Colorado.

His childhood was spent on the family farm. He attended Webb School through his seventh year, then eighth through twelfth grades at Holly Public Schools where he graduated in 1970.

Kent was involved in working with his dad and brothers on the farm until he started farming his own operation in 1974 which included running a cow/calf herd. He never retired and had farmed for fifty-two years at the time of his death.

At the age of twelve, he gave his life to Jesus at the country Star School where his family attended church services at the time. He was later baptized at the First Baptist Church in Holly, Colorado because there was no baptistery at the school house. At his passing, Kent had served on the Holly First Baptist Church board as a deacon for several years.

He came from a very musical family and also had "the musical ear". He played both guitar and fiddle and always enjoyed playing with a group of friends who delighted in bluegrass music as he did. It was common at Willhite family gatherings over the years that musicians were playing together well into the night.

Kent loved playing poker and over the years played with several different groups off and on just for fun. He could be counted on to participate in benefit poker tournaments to help meet the needs of others in the Holly community.

Kent and Marsha were married on July 29, 1983 in Lamar, Colorado. Marsha brought three daughters into the marriage; Lindsay, Doni, and Cari. Son Justin joined the family in December, 1984. Kent was a wonderful dad to all the children and loved them immensely.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha, and their four children: Lindsay Huthoefer, Justin Willhite (Kellyn), Doni Files, and Cari Brewer; grandchildren, David Huthoefer, Samuel Huthoefer, Jonah Files, Jacob Files, Mehkyiah Brandt, and Dalton (Tene') Imboden; great-grandchildren, Piper Brandt, Trent Imboden, and Elena Imboden; siblings, Dale (Donetta) Willhite, Jan (Jimmy) Holmes, and Jerry (Erlene) Willhite. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kent is preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) and Roberta Willhite as well as his grandparents, Jess and Erma Craig, and John and Louise Willhite; and nephew, Jesse Holmes.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Holly with interment following in Maxey Cemetery, Baca County, Colorado at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Valley Funeral & Cremation in Holly, Colorado.