Alvin R. Willhite

Alvin Willhite was born on September 15, 1917, in a humble home in Fraser, Colorado - long known as the icebox of the nation. He was the third of ten children born to William Joseph and Hattie Jane Willhite. He passed into eternal rest on August 30, 2015 - just a few days short of his 98th birthday.All but three of the children in the family were born in Grand County. The other three were born when the family farmed for a short time in southeast Kansas. The family supported itself by cutting timber in the high country, and all of the boys, as well as some of the girls were expected to help with the family business. It was a very difficult life in tough times, but all of the children survived and grew into adulthood.In 1941 Alvin enlisted in the Army Air Corps and went off to basic training at Chanute Field in Illinois. While there he had the occasion to travel with a buddy to visit his family in neighboring Indiana. There he met and fell in love with his buddy's sister. They were married in April of 1942. Alvin's new wife traveled with him to California where he continued his training as an airplane mechanic. While in California, they had a daughter, Sylvia. Alvin's family returned to Indiana to wait for his return after he was deployed to the northern part of England to work on airplanes that would be engaged in flying missions across northern Europe. When the war ended, Alvin returned to the states, collected his family and returned to Colorado. In 1949 the family was set to welcome a new baby, but the baby, a little boy, did not survive.The family settled in Denver where Alvin started an apprenticeship with Graumann Cabinet Makers. He learned his trade well and went on to employment in the construction business with Blackinton and Decker Construction Company. Alvin worked there until his retirement in the late 70's. He started out as a carpenter and rose through the ranks to become General Superintendent and part owner of the company.In May of 1981 Alvin married for a second time to Gladys E. Ramsey. They enjoyed many happy years together traveling throughout the country and attending several reunions of Alvin's Army Air Corps Fighter Squadron - the 434th. Alvin was a master craftsman with any kind of a woodworking project and built many pieces for the family. He also became an expert and proficient wood carver sharing numerous creations with family and friends. He enjoyed other pastimes as well - playing golf for many years and being nearly a lifelong hunter and fisherman. Alvin was predeceased by his parents, his infant son, William Brian, four brothers, three sisters, and his son-in-law Robert Wagner.He is survived by his wife, Gladys Elaine Willhite, Longmont; daughter Sylvia Wagner, Longmont; four grandchildren, Beth Chapmon (Rodney), Johnstown; Diane Wagner, Longmont; Barry Wagner (Lisa), Johnstown; and Stacy Severance (Christopher), Lincoln, Nebraska. Five great-grandchildren also survive including Lacii Wagner, Colorado Springs; Bennett and Beck Wagner, Johnstown; Nicholas Chapmon; Johnstown; and Matthew Severance, Lincoln, Nebraska.He is further survived by two step-children, Gary Ramsey (Annetta), Longmont; and Susan Britton, Longmont; four step-grandchildren, Brad Ramsey (Frank Valdez ), Denver; Brooks Ramsey (Mia), Fort Collins; Courtney Mitchell (Matt), Denver; and Karah Britton, Los Angeles. There are also six step-great-grandchildren, Tristan and Justice Ramsey-Valdez, Denver; Piper and Quinn Ramsey, Fort Collins; and Madison and Morgan Mitchell, Denver.Survivors also include two brothers, Don Willhite (Donna), Festus, Missouri; and Ted Willhite (Darlene), Hayden, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews spread all over the country.Memorial services will be held at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel on Friday, September 4th at 3:00 p.m. A cremation was held, and the cremains will be interred at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Littleton, Colorado. Pastor Steve Osborn with the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Boulder will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.