Curtis Don Wilhoit passed away at his home on September 9, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Dad, as he was known by so many, was born in Laurel County on January 15, 1934 to John and Lennie Wilhoit. Dad graduated from Hazel Green High School in 1952. After high school, he joined the Navy where he got to spend time in Hawaii and Japan. While in Japan, he bought a 35mm camera and began documenting our lives in pictures that are such a treasure.
If you knew Dad, you knew he loved his family, he was so quick with a one - liner and loved to tell a joke, he loved to laugh and make everyone around him laugh, he was a Democrat and proud of it, he was a Baptist, could absolutely squeeze the life out of a penny, and he loved having breakfast every morning with the Hardee's crew. During his lifetime he stepped into the role of dad for grandchildren, nieces, nephews and co – workers who found themselves without a father figure.
Dad was born into a family of 13 children and he was proud of that. Whenever someone would
ask him what it was like growing up in such a large family he would say, “I never slept alone in my life until I got married." He loved meeting new people, or as we called them, fresh audiences. So many of his anecdotes began with, “I’ve probably already, told you this, but ...”
After retiring from the state highway department, he enjoyed having breakfast at Hardees every morning, strolling through Kroger to see what was on sale (that penny pinching thing again), browsing the local Vendors Malls, and mowing his little farm where he has lived since 1978.
Dad is survived by his three daughters, Sandy Foster, Susan Oliver and Maridon Moore. So many times someone would ask him if he ever wished he’d had a son, his response was always, “No, I’m fond of girls. My mother was one.” He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeremy, Jordan, and Ben Foster, Shelby and Kyrie Oliver, Shannon Billings, Dustin Carriere and Chelsea Curry. Great grandchildren, Tristan, Elizabeth and Christian Billings, and the ones who changed his name to Pap, Kaden, Allie and his " Little Britches ", Ellie Jane Foster.
He is also survived by his siblings, Billie Evans, Jan Bollinger, Sue Reams, Marilyn McVay, Johnny, Kenny, and Eddie Wilhoit. He is survived by too many nieces and nephews to mention by name, but he loved every one of them. A special nephew, Danny Evans who never failed to step up and help with doctor's appointments or anything else Dad needed. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Margaret Brown, Nancy Brown, Helen Hale, Lois Hale, and Ronald Wilhoit, and a grandson, Josh Carriere. Dad gave us the tools we need to get through this life. His advice: Enjoy your young life. He had an impact on the lives of so many people and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Several years ago he bought a sign, which now hangs by the front porch door that reads: Home is where Dad can say anything he likes 'cause nobody listens. We were listening, Dad. More than you know. The talking stick was always yours.
We respectfully ask visitors to wear a mask to protect our family and friends. Services will be officiated by Ted Morgan on Saturday, September 12 at 5 PM at Bowling Funeral Home.
