James W. Wilhoite, 76, passed away in Ennis, Texas on Sunday, July 14, 2013. James was born in Ennis, Texas on January 8, 1937 to O.D. and Ethel (Lewis) Wilhoite He grew up in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School in 1955. He went on to attend Navarro College. On December 19, 1958 he married Barbara Wooten and they have been lifetime residents of Ennis. He served his country proudly in the United States Army in Germany from 1956 until 1958. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for nine years as a Fireman, for American National Insurance for over twenty years as an agent and served as the Veterans Administration Service Officer for Ellis County from 1987 until 2012. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ennis, VFW and the Ennis Jaycees. He enjoyed golf and all sports, especially those in and around Ennis. He is survived by his wife of almost fifty-five years, Barbara Wilhoite of Ennis; son, Tony Wilhoite and his wife, Teresa of Ennis; one daughter, Teresa and her husband Dan McCarthy of Waxahachie; five grandchildren: Hillary and Scott Laza, Drew and Christina Wilhoite, Jeremy and Tiffany Novotny, Trevor Wilhoite and Tori Wilhoite; two great-grandchildren: Hannah and Brady Laza along with one sister, Iva Dee Collins of Ennis. He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, two sisters and his father-in-law Marvin (Bud) Wooten. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis. A Celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11 a.m. in the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ennis located at 1200 Country Club Road, Ennis with Rev. Todd Gray and Rev. Richard Moody officiating. Pallbearers will be: Harvey Collins, Homer Edward Doherty, James Allen, Joey Wilhoite Brian Wilhoite and Randy Wilhoite. Interment will follow in Myrtle Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. www.jekeevermortuary.com
