Valmore E. "Val" Willhite

ROYALSTON- Valmore E. “Val” Willhite, 76, of Elm Avenue, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Boston on November 27, 1948, he was the son of Victor and Dorothy (Coderre) Willhite and grew up in Royalston, graduating from Athol High School in 1966. He later attended Franklin Peirce College for two years.

Val enlisted in the United States Navy on February 25, 1969 and served aboard the USS Mississinewa and was honorably discharged on December 20, 1972.

A Project Manager and Salesman for Window World, Val had also worked for his father at Victor Willhite & Sons doing siding and roofing, was a salesman at Adams Chevrolet as well working with family at the Athol Steak House.

Val has been married to Ann (Maynard) for 28 years and they had enjoyed traveling together to Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Closer to home, they enjoyed trips to York and Strong, Maine.

Val raised bees and turkeys and loved hunting and fishing, as well as SCUBA diving.

He served on the Frogman Rescue Team and had set a Guinness world record for the longest time under water in 1981.

Val loved food, especially the preparation of meals, and enjoyed sharing with family and friends along with laughter and good banter.

Val is survived by his loving wife, Ann Willhite, of Royalston; daughter, Stephanie Buck and her husband Aaron, and their children Layne, Teddy, Joshua and Jacob; son, Greg Willhite and his wife, Becky, and their child Emerson; son, Jeff Willhite; daughter, Dayna Mallet and her husband, TJ, and their child Izzy. Val would say he had 5 princes and 1 princess and loved his grandchildren immensely. Val is also survived by his mother, Dorothy (Coderre)(Willhite) Mitchell of Athol; a sister, Debbie Adams and her husband, Larry, of Athol; a brother, Ronnie Willhite and his wife, Sherry, of Athol; and many nephews and nieces; as well as friends and co-workers.

Val was predeceased by his father, and by a brother, Gary Willhite, on August 24, 2020.

Calling hours will be held on March 8, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A celebration of life on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ellinwood Country Club, 1928 Pleasant Street, Athol.

There are no formal services.

A celebration of life will be held at a date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324,
New York, NY 10087.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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