Howard Earl Wilhite, 74, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on June 5, 2022.

Howard, "Willy" (AC4WZ) was born on December 11, 1947 to Donald and Stella Wilhite in Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating from Decatur Central High School in 1966, He went on to join the US Navy in which he served for four years.

After the military, he worked for CSX Transportation as a train engineer for 30+ years. He also spent much of his free time as both a volunteer Jacksonville Sheriff Officer for 30 years as well as a HAM radio operator and Volunteer Examiner (VE) for the North Florida Amateur Radio Society (NOFARS). He loved public service and was always willing to do what was needed to help out. He thrived on educating people on HAM radio. He had the gift of gab. He was a social butterfly and enjoyed speaking to people.

In 1968, Howard met Ellen, and they wed in 1970, going on to have two children, Timothy and Peggy.

After a long battle with cancer, Ellen, Howard's first spouse passed away in 1995. Howard remarried Beverly Spradlin in 1996, and became a stepfather to her two children, Mickey and Beverlyn.

Howard joins Ellen Wilhite (first spouse), his parents, Donald and Stella, and brother, Roy Wilhite in heaven. He is survived by many loving family members including Beverly Wilhite (spouse), Timothy Wilhite (son), Peggy Abbott (daughter), Mickey Spradlin (step-son), and Beverlyn Wood (step-daughter), Kathy Wilhite (sister), Nancy Jack (sister), and Stephanie Jack (niece), and as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A family funeral service will be held at Arlington Park Funeral Home on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11am. Location: 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL. A public memorial service will be on Friday, July 8, 2022, 11am at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Cemetery 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL.

Donations

In lieu of flowers there will be a fund in the name of HOWARD EARL WILHITE at Wounded Warriors. (904)-296-7350

https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/Howard-Earl-Wilhite