Dr. Robert Wilhite, Sr.

View Funeral Webcast Dr. Robert Conway Wilhite, Sr., devoted husband, loving father, distinguished dentist, died peacefully in his home Tuesday, October 20, 2020. He was 94 years old and was predeceased in 2017 by his wife of 67 years, Esther. Born in Miami, Florida, on July 26, 1926, to the late Virgil and Sally Clair English Wilhite, Bob attended school at Enterprise Elementary and Hay Long High School in Mt. Pleasant, TN. After completing high school in 1944, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Bob entered Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville, TN, and received a degree in Biology. In 1949, he attended the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis, TN. In 1950, he married Esther Shrader; he opened a dental practice in Columbia, TN, in 1953, where he practiced for 50 years, retiring in 2003. Dr. Wilhite was an active member of First United Methodist Church, J. C. Rotary Club for 50 years, as well as an active member of the Masons, Elks, and Shriners. He is survived by his son, Dr. Robert Wilhite, Jr. (Lee Ann), daughters, Beata Cunningham (Jerry), and Dr. Tria Moreland (Terry), eleven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. In addition to Esther, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Virgil and Richard, and his sister, Lissie. Bob had a wonderful sense of humor, and he passed along his ability to laugh at himself, and particularly his own jokes, to his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, his robust laugh, and his positive outlook on life. A family gathering will be held on Friday, October 23, at Polk Memorial Gardens at 11:00 A.M. with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.