James Leo Willhite - Toronto Kansas

JJames Leo Wilhite was the oldest of Lewis and Rosa. James served in the Army for roughly 4 years, serving the entire length of World War One. (See detailed pages about his service.) At age 26, he returned home finding work in the oil wells. After a year home, he was getting married, age 27. James married Lillian Beatrice Russell at the Methodist parsonage at Yates Center. They had 7 children mostly in Toronto.

At age 36, the family moved to Eldorado, Kansas where he started a 24 year career with Stanolind Pipe Line Co. After living in Eldorado for a few years, James moved again, renting a home on the other side of Wichita in Bushton. His wife wrote in an article, “We lived in many towns in Kansas. Everywhere his work took him, his family went too. We often moved at a few days notice. We lived the longest at St. John. He was a resident of St. John Kansas when he passed away at the age of 69. Before he passed, he was a member of the Baptist Church and the American Legion.

James died in 1963 at the Veterans Hospital in Wichita. His funeral services were in the Presbyterian Church in Toronto. He was buried in the Toronto Cemetery with full military services. His wife Lillian Beatrice moved back to Toronto after 4 years and lived 21 more years until her death in 1988.

Lillian Beatrice and James Leo Willhite

Roy Donald and James Leo Willhite

Left: James Leo Willhite Center: Leo Jones is a cousin, the son of Emma Willhite and William H. Jones Right: Roy Willhite, younger brother to James

James Leo Willhite home in El Dorado, Kansas

Duane Russell Willhite (see paper below)

James Leo Willhite & Lillian Beatrice

James Leo Willhite (left) & Roy Donald Willhite

Oldest children of Lewis Franklin Willhite and Rosa Bell Jones

1) Jane Popkess
2) Peggy Willhite (Daughter of James Leo)
3) Rosa Bell Willhite (Wife of Lewis Franklin Willhite)
4) James Willhite (Son of Gordon Willhite)
5) Larry Willhite (Son of Gordon Willhite)
6) Patty Willhite (Daughter of James Leo Willhite)
7) Gertrude Willhite (Wife of Gordon Willhite)
8) James Leo Willhite (Son of Rosa Bell)
9) Melba Popkess
10) Gordon Willhite (Son of James Leo Willhite)

Four Generation Picture Taken Around 1950

Lillian Beatrice Russell Willhite is missing, she may have took this picture

Marriage License for James Leo Willhite & Lillian Beatrice Russell

Toronto Cemetery Section C-1

James and Beatrice had 3 children die very young, below are links to the pictures for the other 4 children.

James had a sister who married one of Beatrice's brothers. So his wife's page has lots of family Russell pictures.

James Leo Willhite Army Photos & History

Ex-service man of the world war form in 1930

James, Lillian, Peggy and Paddy

Lillian Beatrice and James Leo Willhite

James, Beatrice, Peggy and Paddy

St. Johns Home in Kansas