James Wilhite

Mr. James Wilhite, 85, of 320 Granite Street, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Wilhite was born February 15, 1922, in Patrick County, VA, to the late Henry and Lurinda Rakes Wilhite. He served as captain in the United States Army during World War II. As a result of his bravery at Pearl Harbor, he was decorated with several medals, including the AP Service Ribbon, the American Defense Service Ribbon, and three bronze stars. He owned and operated Wilhite Heating and Air Conditioning for 50 years and was a former member and deacon of Flat Rock Presbyterian Church. James was an accomplished musician, an avid salt-water fisherman, and a coppersmith. He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Saundra Hart Spillman and Ike Spillman and Robin Wilhite DiRusso, all of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Juanita Wilhite of Mount Airy; three grandchildren, James Kevin Hart of Mount Airy, Dana Spillman Wills of Virginia Beach, VA, and Scott Spillman of Kernersville; a brother, Ray Wilhite of Mount Airy; a brother-in-law and spouse, Wyatt F. and Nancy Puckett of Mount Airy; and a special friend, Doris Atwood of Winston-Salem. In addition to his parents, Mr. Wilhite was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Puckett Wilhite; and six brothers, Ramey Wilhite, Lonnie Wilhite, Porter Wilhite, Claude Wilhite, Grover Wilhite, and George Wilhite. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 3, 2007, at 4:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Linda Blessing and military honors will be performed by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard Post 2019 of Mount Airy and Post 9436 of Pilot Mountain. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:00 at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy.