Born June 20, 1936 in Wilkes County, he was the son of the late Ernest E Whisnant and Louella Presslar Whisnant.
Hoke was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church where he served as President of the congregation, and a member of the church council. Hoke and his wife Sylvia created the Mt. Olive Lutheran Ministry Foundation. He was a former owner and President of Hickory Fuel Co, a former member and past president of Hickory Kiwanis Club, formerly active with the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts. Hoke worked with his father for many years in Whisnant Hosiery and was a former President of McLeod’s Flowers. Hoke served his country in the U.S. Navy in the 4th Dental Company at Camp Lejeune, NC.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jo Williams.
Hoke is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sylvia Huffman Whisnant; son, Richard E. Whisnant and wife Anne Marie of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Jackie DelMonico and husband Paul of Blowing Rock, NC; grandchildren, Ernest C. Whisnant, Courtney Pearce and Ryan Pearce; and great-grandchildren, Lily and Jackson Pearce.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church with Rev. Ryan Ray officiating. A private inurnment, with military rites, will be held prior to the service in the church columbarium.
The family will receive friends following the service in Heritage Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2780 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601 or The Salvation Army of Hickory, 750 3rd Ave Pl SE, Hickory, NC 28602.
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers for their wonderful care given to Hoke.
