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Howard Earl Wilhite

A personal campaign sponsored by Beverly Wilhite

July 8, 2022

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Howard Earl Wilhite, “Howdy,” “ Willy,” “Big Dawg, “Squeaky, (AC4WZ), 74, years old:  Thursday, 12/11/1947 - 6/5/2022 died on Resurrection Sunday.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Pawpaw, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully after a long battle with diabetes, kidney, and liver failure at Community Hospice Earl B.  Hadlow Center.

He graduated from Decatur Central High School in 1966, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Their mascot: Hawk. Willy served 3 years, 10 months, and 9 days in the US Navy as a 3rd class Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Jet Engine Mechanic (ADJ) Captain.  He was stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin on the USS Shangri La, (CV38) in 1970 during the Vietnam War. view-source: https://www.navysite.de/cv/cv38.htm     He had the opportunity to ride in the weaponry, A4.   As the Navy says, “FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS.”

 As a CSX locomotive engineer for 38 years, 8/12/1972-7/3/2010, Big Dawg engaged others with a flowing tongue as a locomotive engineer running at full speed, #8 on a downhill run.  Preferring not to drive a yard goat (yard engine), instead driving the freight battleships with piggybacks, on his runs his yaw dampers to reduce the rocking wibbling-wobbling motion did not always work, so, they called him “Squeaky, Big Dawg, or his Federal Communication call sign, AC4WZ. This skilled and dependable engineer transported Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus which was one of his favorites “runs.” As a social dragonfly, he enjoyed slang jabberwocky.

He was with the Volunteer Reserve Jacksonville Sheriff Office for 32 years as well as a Ham Radio Operator 40 years. EXTRA CLASS Volunteer Examiner for the North Florida Amateur Radio Society and Jacksonville Laurel team since 01/30/2018. He loved being an aggregate community service members and was always willing to do what was needed to lend a hand. The Jacksonville Laurel VE Team provides free testing for the Amateur (Ham) Radio License. Since 2017, we have issued 574 licenses and saved $12,900 in testing fees.

Whenever there were those interested in Ham Radio, he was always there. Most frequently he volunteered weekends at Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive, assisting in situations of lost children, reckless driving, directing traffic, and disorderly conduct.

Willy is preceded in death by his first wife Ellen Lois Clack Wilhite, his parents Donald Earl and Stella Elizabeth Burrows Wilhite (Indiana), and his brother Roy Allen Wilhite in Heaven.  He is survived by many loved ones including his cherished wife of 26 years, Beverly Bernice Hartley Wilhite with whom he enjoyed much time spent with family, traveling, and laughter.  He was loved by his children:  Son, Tim Earl Wilhite (Andrea), daughter, Peggy Elizabeth Wilhite Abbott (Ethan), step-son Mickey Dale Spradlin (Lisa), step-daughter Beverlyn Dale Spradlin Wood (Nick), his sisters Katheryn Elizabeth Wilhite, and Nancy Jack.  His niece, Stephanie Ann Jack and his grandchildren in birth order Zoe Williams (Meenan), Seth Spradlin, Von Wilhite, Sheen Wood, Sara Spradlin, Luke Spradlin, Sayge Wood, Orrin Abbott, Myles Abbott, 3 great-grandchildren: Mila Rayne, Novah Shem, and Selah Noelle Williams.   

Memorial service will begin Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11 a.m., Jacksonville National Cemetery located at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida. All guests are kindly asked to gather for the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in Lane 2. JSO Chaplin: Clarence Jarrell will be presiding.  

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 


PLEASE WRITE A HAPPY MEMORY OF WILLY IN THE COMMENTS 

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