Howard \Ray\ Wilhoit, 81, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016 in Las Cruces, NM. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend and will be missed by all those who knew him. Ray was born in Hood County, TX to John Henry and Mary Lou Wilhoit and raised in Portales, NM. He and his brothers and sisters were a very close family and helped care for each other. Ray married the love of his life, Jackie Bryant, in Portales on August 10, 1957 and moved to Odessa, TX. In Odessa they raised their children and watched their grandchildren grow. Although Odessa was home, Portales was still where his roots were. He was preceded in death by wife, Jackie Wilhoit; parents, John and Mary Wilhoit; brothers and sisters, Rosalee Wilhoit, Elwin Berry Wilhoit, Lowel Wilhoit, Billy Wayne Wilhoit, LuWanda Wilhoit, and Bobbie L. Wilhoit; as well as brother-in-law, Jerry Bryant, and sister in law, Wilma Wilhoit.He is survived by daughter Lila Evans and husband Mark Evans of Odessa; son Michael Wilhoit of Odessa; granddaughter Charlotte Mahan and husband Wade, great grandson Tanner of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; granddaughter Whitney Campbell and husband Ryan, great grandson Cooper of Odessa, TX; granddaughter Tiffany Selz and husband Joey of Lewisville, TX; grandson Ryan Wilhoit of Odessa; mother-in-law, Lila Bryant; brothers and sisters, Maxine Pierson, Imogene Marshall, Frances Alexander, Joyce George, Blanche Hudson, Jo Gibbs, Lynn Wilhoit, and Glynn Wilhoit; and brother-in-law, Joe Mike Bryant and wife Beverly.He will also be missed by his companion of the last few years Wilma Jean High.Memorial services will be held at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland, TX on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 10:00 am.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. ,
