David Wilhite, 81, of Lebanon, former Lebanon city attorney, died Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Ballwin.
He was born Jan. 22, 1937, in Springfield, Mo. to Ernest W. and Harriette Josephine Hale Wilhite.
David was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Karen Wilhite and Luanne Garrison.
He was a member of the Donnelly Baldwin and Wilhite Law Firm in Lebanon for nearly 50 years.
David graduated from Strafford High School in 1955 and graduated from Missouri State University, member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, received a JD degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He served terms on the board of First National/Boatmen’s Bank and Lebanon Country Club; former member of Lebanon Jaycees and past vice president of Kiwanis Club, member Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce and served as a Lebanon Chamber Ambassador. In 1986, he joined the board of trustees for the Louise G. Wallace Memorial Hospital/Breech Medical Center, served as board chairman, retiring in 2008, helped facilitate the hospital’s affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy Health System and the building of the new facility in 1999. He was honored in 1996 with the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Community Service Award, honored as one of six hospital board trustees in Missouri who received the 2003 Excellence in Governance Award from the Missouri Hospital Association. He was recognized by the City of Lebanon for his role as city counselor from 1992 to 2013.
David was a member of First Christian Church.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Ferguson and her husband, Aaron, of Chesterfield; a special granddaughter, Rachel Ferguson; his sister, Susanne Smith, of Springfield; a niece, Kristin Ratliff and her husband, Josh, and nephews, Daniel Garrison and Scott Garrett (Abby), all of Springfield; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for David Wilhite will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Greg Turner officiating. Burial in Lebaanon Cemetery.
The family will receive family and friends for visitation in the fellowship hall of the First Christian Church from 12:30 until service time at 2 p.m.
Memorials have been suggested to the First Christian Church and donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 192, Lebanon, Mo. 65536.
Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
