Steve Willhite

Stephen Lynn Willhite, son of the late William Dearl and Norma Faye (Bennett) Willhite, was born on November 6, 1954, in Lawrence, Kansas, and passed away on May 16, 2022, at his home at Hartville, Missouri. He was 67 years, 6 months, and 10 days of age.

Steve was married to the love of his life, Dyann Cordry, on July 6, 2000. They loved traveling and singing together.

As a child, Steve loved playing with cousins and family get-togethers. He grew up with a great love for God and gospel music. Growing up in Coon Creek Church, Steve always attended Sunday school. After a lesson on angels one Sunday morning, Steve and his cousin, Billy Bennett, went down to one of their favorite places to play, Hornets Cliff, along with cousin, Allen Bennett, and sister, Sondra. Steve and Billy informed Allen and Sondra that if they jumped from the cliff the angels would catch them. Fortunately, the two younger ones were smart enough to not try it.

As kids at church, they sang at several different churches which Steve continued later in life with different groups including The Singing Apostles, Conquerors, Countrymen, Coon Creek Singers, and The Willhites.

Steve was also very active in the church and music ministry. One of his favorite times was several years working in the Porter Chapel Church of Competition along with his wife.

Steve worked at the Marshfield Casket Company after high school for several years and then moved to Oklahoma and worked for Weatherford. He moved back to Missouri in 1999 and worked at Landau Boats and then for Country Pride Propane. The last few years Steve struggled with cancer, diabetes, and several other health issues.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dearl Willhite, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Mary Cordry, two brothers-in-law, Edwin Kincheloe and Randy Childress.

Steve is survived by his wife of almost 22 years, Dyann Willhite, of the home, six children, Amy Moore of Mansfield, Missouri, Regina Lawson and husband, Terry, of Woodward, Oklahoma, Andrew Willhite of White Bluff, Tennessee, Nekeya of Cabool, Missouri, Kelly Willhite of Cleburne, Texas, and Dorian Willhite and Angie of White Bluff, Tennessee, a foster daughter, Liz Strickland of Jefferson City, Missouri, twenty grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, mother, Norma Willhite, two sisters, Sondra Kincheloe-Bennett and husband, Dorisel, and Kaylene Cardwell, one brother, Bobby Willhite and wife, Melissa, one brother-in-law, Danny Cordry and wife, Nadine, many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Steve was loved by everyone he met, and he had a great love for everyone.

Steve’s greatest desire in life was to see all of his children and grandchildren come to know the Lord as their personal Savior. He will be remembered and missed by his family and the many lives he touched.