Dorothy Marie Willhoite

Wellsville, NY - Dorothy Marie Willhoite, 85, of Wellsville, NY, passed away on March 9, 2018, with her children at her side.

Dorothy was born in Miami County, KS, on October 18, 1932, to Fannie Leona (Alley) and Kenneth Anson Trewett.  She grew up on the family farm, where she learned the importance of hard work and common sense. Dorothy attended grade school at the Washington School in Miami County and high school in Drexel, MO. She was the salutatorian of the Drexel High School Class of 1950 and predicted by her classmates to be “the first woman President of the United States.” She attended college at the Ursuline Academy in Paola, KS.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Wilber Wayne Willhoite, on July 8, 1951. They farmed near Drexel before their family moved to Kansas City, MO, in 1965. Dorothy was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother while her children were young, but began working outside the home in 1969. Shortly thereafter, she started her career with Lynn Insurance Group (Universal Underwriters). She earned her Certified Property Casualty Underwriter credential and retired from Universal Underwriters in 1989 as a Regional Underwriting Manager. Dorothy and Wilber moved from Kansas City to Drexel in 1990, and in 2000 they moved to Wellsville to be near family. They enjoyed their retirement together and traveling to visit family and friends and to attend Wilber’s military reun

ions.

Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wellsville where she had been active in the women’s Bible study group, jail ministry, and choir.  She loved people and helping others.  She enjoyed reading, solving puzzles, quilting, gardening, and baking.. She was a brilliant, intelligent woman who could accomplish anything that she decided to do.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved Wilber, who died on December 11, 2008, and by her brother, Kenneth Trewett. She is survived by three children, Rose Anna (Leonard) Ladage of Wellsville, NY, Patricia Lynn (Richard) Sooter of North Richland Hills, TX, and Terry Wayne (Linda) Willhoite of Keller, TX; three grandchildren, Kenneth Wayne (Yuriko) Sooter, Joshua William (Kelly) Sooter, and Angela Marie Willhoite; five great-grandchildren, Joshua “Tiger,” Reese, Madison, Connor, and Kyron; two sisters, Frances (John) McLaughlin and Evelyn Burton; and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Manor Hills Assisted Living for their loving care for Dorothy.

A memorial service will be held at the J. W. Embser Funeral Home in Wellsville on Monday, March 12, at 5 p.m., with visitation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The funeral will be March 16 at the Mullinax Funeral Chapel in Drexel, MO.  Burial will follow in the Sharon Cemetery near Drexel.

To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.