James Monroe Willhite, son of the late Johnny and Edna Mae (Coffman) Willhite, was born February 29, 1936, in Manes, Missouri. He departed this life on April 25, 2024, while surrounded by his family at the Hartville Care Center in Hartville, Missouri. He was 88 years, 1 month, and 27 days of age.
James, better known as “Monroe” by friends and family, grew up in the Manes community and lived there throughout his entire life. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, trapping, and gardening. He owned working hunting dogs for many years and sold fur hides he would collect from hunting and trapping. His other hobbies included collecting coins and driving country roads.
Monroe also enjoyed working in the outdoors. He was a hard worker and worked many years for Tom Carmon logging, Sheeks Cattle Company, and the highway department. He liked to cut wood and mow lawns. He maintained and mowed several lawns in Manes including the Manes school and ball field. When he was no longer able to cut wood and mow, he began the hobby of picking up cans from the side of the road.
Monroe was close to several of his family members and enjoyed going and visiting with friends and family as often as he could. He lived by and took care of his parents for many years before they passed away. He was always willing to help others. In fact, he could be considered a hero as he once helped save a group of children from a burning school bus.
Anyone who knew Monroe will remember his love for telling stories, poems, and of course… his jokes. You couldn’t make it through a visit with him without having to listen to a few jokes. He liked to laugh and make others laugh. He was known to be a bit of a prankster at times. But, most importantly, Monroe believed in God and is now at peace with Jesus.
Besides his parents, Monroe was preceded in death by two sons, Randy and Mark Willhite; one sister, Patricia; and one brother, Dearl.
Monroe is survived by two sons, Christopher Willhite and Ricky Willhite; three daughters, Ashley Willhite, Kimberley Stinson and husband, Shawn, and Jill Willhite; three sisters, Gladys Pratt, Ethel Bennett, and Alice Pratt; three brothers, Leo, Carl, and Donald Willhite; granddaughters, Hope, Jasmine, Kaitlyn, Andrea, Jennifer, Rachel, Shaynna, and Kayla; grandsons, Andrew, Jason, Anthony, Nicholas, and Johnathon; several great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.
