John Dale Willhite

John Dale Willhite, 81, passed away May 27, 2017.

He was born Nov. 17, 1935 in Broken Arrow. He was the only son born to Earl and Goldie Willhite. He had a sister that was born first but she only lived a short time. He grew up around the Broken Arrow area the first few years then attended Collinsville schools. The family later moved to Oologah and he attended Oologah-Talala School graduating in 1954. He played baseball and basketball. He loved sports and followed the Oologah-Talala sports teams and was an avid Mustang fan. He loved woodworking. He worked in the lumber yard in Collinsville for 20 years then went into business with Bill Brunson in Oologah at Brunson Cabinet Co. He retired in 1999 just in time to help finish the interior of the First Baptist Church in Talala. You can see his handiwork all over the auditorium. He built the pulpit, the Lord’s Supper Table and much more. He and Larry Hopper were on the building and grounds committee together and they were greeters together every Sunday morning before Sunday school. He was always fulfilling Betty’s VBS projects by building some amazing sets. Whatever she thought of he could and did build. His was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and again in December of 2015 and had to have major surgery. He stayed active until the last two or three weeks. When he was about 53 yrs. old he and Betty were in a car accident where a young man was killed. This stirred Dale’s heart in a heavy way. This soon led to his salvation and he was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Oologah. He and Betty became members at the Frist Baptist Church in Talala in February 1994.

He is survived by his wife of 62 yrs. Betty of the home; daughters, Debbie Wood and husband, Gene of Catoosa and Karen Smith and husband, Brett of Benton, AR; son, Johnny and wife, Gayla Willhite of Oologah; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Goldie Willhite; sister, Wanda and one granddaughter, Abbey Smith.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 31, 2017 all day at Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.

Services will be Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 1 p.m., at Talala First Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.