In Memory Of
Billy L. Whitehurst
1932
2012
Billy L. Whitehurst
September 13, 1932 — August 14, 2012
Billy Lee Whitehurst (79) of Aurora, Colorado lost a long battle with prostate cancer and died peacefully on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Denver Hospice, while surrounded by family and friends.
He was born to the late Eber and Mabel (Foote) Whitehurst in rural Jasper County, Illinois on September 13, 1932. The youngest of eight children, he was raised on his family farm and graduated from Newton Community High School in Newton, Illinois in 1950.
Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Most memorable and notable of his military service was his assignment as Crew Chief of a B-29 aircraft of the 581st Air Resupply Squadron from 01 July 1953 to 01 February 1954. Bill was awarded an Air Force Commendation Ribbon in recognition of his role in consistently having the best maintained B-29 in his organization, consistently the highest in flight operations.
Bill married Joyce Lavonne Murrow from Strasburg, Colorado on February 12, 1956, to whom three children were born; Dawn, Joni and Donald. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce on June 29, 1977.
Bill spent his entire career in aviation, most of that time as an independent broker/dealer in used aircraft. He was passionate about flying and teaching others to fly more safely. Bill was experienced in over 100 types of aircraft and logged thousands of hours flight time. His civilian career included work in aircraft sales, line operations, ferry pilot, and contract flying. Past employers were Vest Aircraft, Clinton Aviation, Aero Denver, Mountain States Aviation, and AMR Combs. The capstone of Bill's career was as a professional flight trainer, certifying other pilots in their own aircraft.
Bill is survived by three children: Dawn Loy Whitehurst and James Gary Gentry of Aurora, Colorado; Joni Gay (Whitehurst) Smith and Ken Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; and Donald Eber Whitehurst and Bonnie Lynn (Nein) Whitehurst of Salem, Oregon. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: James Lee Meyer, Joseph Laine Meyer, Michael Ryan Gentry, and Jesse Dean Gentry of Aurora, Colorado; Hannah Alicia Smith, Abigail Naomi Smith, and Sarah Elizabeth Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; and Danielle Marie Whitehurst and Garrett William Whitehurst of Salem, Oregon. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Nicolas James Meyer and Jamie Lee Meyer of Aurora, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by all his siblings: Glenn Foote Whitehurst; Anice Belle Whitehurst; Ruby Ann Whitehurst; Eber Neil Whitehurst; Donald Trainer Whitehurst; Mildred Catherine Whitehurst; and Homer James Whitehurst.
Bill will be buried in his hometown of Newton, Illinois, however a memorial open house for his Colorado friends and family will be held from 11AM - 2PM on September 1, 2012 at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space museum located at 7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Denver Hospice, 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 700, Denver CO 80246-1328.
To share a special memory or leave a condolence for Billy's family, visit the guestbook below.
He was born to the late Eber and Mabel (Foote) Whitehurst in rural Jasper County, Illinois on September 13, 1932. The youngest of eight children, he was raised on his family farm and graduated from Newton Community High School in Newton, Illinois in 1950.
Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Most memorable and notable of his military service was his assignment as Crew Chief of a B-29 aircraft of the 581st Air Resupply Squadron from 01 July 1953 to 01 February 1954. Bill was awarded an Air Force Commendation Ribbon in recognition of his role in consistently having the best maintained B-29 in his organization, consistently the highest in flight operations.
Bill married Joyce Lavonne Murrow from Strasburg, Colorado on February 12, 1956, to whom three children were born; Dawn, Joni and Donald. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce on June 29, 1977.
Bill spent his entire career in aviation, most of that time as an independent broker/dealer in used aircraft. He was passionate about flying and teaching others to fly more safely. Bill was experienced in over 100 types of aircraft and logged thousands of hours flight time. His civilian career included work in aircraft sales, line operations, ferry pilot, and contract flying. Past employers were Vest Aircraft, Clinton Aviation, Aero Denver, Mountain States Aviation, and AMR Combs. The capstone of Bill's career was as a professional flight trainer, certifying other pilots in their own aircraft.
Bill is survived by three children: Dawn Loy Whitehurst and James Gary Gentry of Aurora, Colorado; Joni Gay (Whitehurst) Smith and Ken Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; and Donald Eber Whitehurst and Bonnie Lynn (Nein) Whitehurst of Salem, Oregon. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: James Lee Meyer, Joseph Laine Meyer, Michael Ryan Gentry, and Jesse Dean Gentry of Aurora, Colorado; Hannah Alicia Smith, Abigail Naomi Smith, and Sarah Elizabeth Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; and Danielle Marie Whitehurst and Garrett William Whitehurst of Salem, Oregon. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Nicolas James Meyer and Jamie Lee Meyer of Aurora, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by all his siblings: Glenn Foote Whitehurst; Anice Belle Whitehurst; Ruby Ann Whitehurst; Eber Neil Whitehurst; Donald Trainer Whitehurst; Mildred Catherine Whitehurst; and Homer James Whitehurst.
Bill will be buried in his hometown of Newton, Illinois, however a memorial open house for his Colorado friends and family will be held from 11AM - 2PM on September 1, 2012 at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space museum located at 7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Denver Hospice, 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 700, Denver CO 80246-1328.
To share a special memory or leave a condolence for Billy's family, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Billy L. Whitehurst, please visit our flower store.
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