Ole L. Willhite Sr. passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2016 surrounded by his family. 
He was 85. He was born April 26, 1931 to Viola and Henry Willhite in Bokoshe, OK. The family moved to California and settled in Linden when he was 10 years old. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran, and was a retriever mechanic serving 2 tours of duty during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from military service to civilian life he met and fell in love with Maryanthia Vezaldenos. They wed soon after in June 1955 and remained happily married for the past 61 years. He worked his entire life in the farming and trucking industry. He started O.W. trucking and later O.W. Hay Service. He had a strong, tireless work ethic, with his mantra being: “Work first, there’s always time to play later”. When the work was done he loved to hunt and fish and in later years enjoyed golfing with his wife. More important than anything to him was spending time with his wife, family and life-long friends.He is survived by his loving wife Maryanthia; his daughter Victoria (Billy) Harris; daughter Judee Willhite, and son Ole (Janet) Willhite Jr. He will be missed as “Papa” to his grandchildren: Hilary (Michael) Seymour, Joey (Stefania) Willhite, Samantha (Troy) Swanson, Billy (Rachel) Harris, Jr. and Jason (Nikki) Harris. His great grandchildren: Mikayla, Mikenna and Mikenzie Seymour; Olivia and T.J. Swanson, and Riley and Joshua Harris will miss their beloved “Papa-O”. He is also survived by his sister Catherine Coldani; and brothers Earl, Ray, and John Willhite.
Dad knew his journey here was drawing to a close and specifically asked that we be sure to acknowledge his dedicated and caring Dr. Abbas Chothia, Dr. John Bouteller, his favorite nurse Donna Burke (RNP) and the entire staff of Stockton Cardiology. Also a special thank you to Dr. James Morrissey who dad attributes giving him 33 additional years of time with his family and was always revered as a family friend.
Forever in our hearts; rest in peace now Dad until we are together again.
SERVICES
Please join us for funeral services at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 and Harney Ln in Lodi, where he will be honored with full military honors by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the American Legion.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Heart Association.