Leslie William Wilhite of Yates Center, Kansas, was born April 15, 1949, at Iola, Kansas, one of the two children of Robert Frederick and Mardell Glyndon (Randall) Wilhite, and passed away on January 17, 2022, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, MO. He was 72 years old.

Leslie spent his early childhood in Yates Center and when he was in junior high the family moved to his grandparents' farm northwest of Yates Center. Leslie graduated from Yates Center High School in 1967. He went to Wichita to attend Business College> Although he didn't graduate at that time, he used these business skills for the rest of his life.  He had a great sense of business. Later in life he wanted to complete his degree, so he went to Allen Community College and earned his Associates Degree in 2010 an accomplishment he was very proud of.

Over the years Les worked various jobs which included working at a gas station, driving a fruit truck and of course working on the farm.  He found a family as well as a job for more than 10 years with Kilby Oil Co as a roughneck in the oil fields during the 70's and 80's. During the time with the Kilby family Mark led him down the path to Accept Jesus as his savior and started his lifelong walk with Christ. After Leaving Kilby Oil he worked for many years for the Road and Bridge Dept in Woodson County and then became the Supervisor of the Woodson County Solid Waste Dept.  While driving a bus for the Yates Center Schools he also managed the Prairie Villa Apartments.  He served as a Yates Center City Councilman and Interim Mayor of Yates Center.  While he was a city councilman, he helped with grant writing for several projects to improve Yates Center. Les was always providing for his family and was always ready to support anything he thought would benefit Yates Center.   He had a passion for children in foster care. He became an advocate for children in foster care through CASA (court appointed special advocates). He carried that passion on to his most recent profession, which was transporting children in foster care to parental visits, Dr appointments or anywhere else they needed to go.

Les was a charter member of the Yates Center Chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International and continued as a member of Businessmen's Fellowship International. Les met his wife Shelda of almost 36 years at a Christian Singles group, their mutual belief in Jesus led them to a group that brought them together.  They have spent all these years serving God together. As a practicing Christian and man of God Leslie had helped start several churches in Yates Center so that people could worship as they believed.  A few years ago he and Shelda became members of the Cowboy Church in Toronto which he believed would be his forever church which proved to be true.

Les was a generally a quiet man, but his smile and laugh will always be remembered. He loved his family and friends and would lend a hand wherever and whenever he was needed.  He was so proud of his nieces and their children, he bragged about them to anyone who would listen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Roberta Glyndon Mardis; and two aunts, Marjorie Randall and Mayetta 'Polly' Powell.

He leaves behind his wife Shelda of the home; his nieces Josie Mardis and Kelly Baker (Kenny); great-nephews, Asher Sievers and Brycen Baker; his special sister, Carol Roush (Richard) and daughters Amy Barnes (Jason) and Kayla Thackery (Blake) and their children Addison Barnes, Decker Thackery, Brantley Thackery, Kannon Thackery and baby Girl Thackery; nieces Becky Wiley, Shawna Walker, Lori Wiley-Alcaraz; nephew Jason Wiley; great niece Stephany Wiley; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the Cowboy Church and the Arena of Life at Toronto, KS. Inurnment will follow in Yates Center Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 21, 2022, at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) 31 ^st Judicial District, at Iola and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.

Masks are encouraged at the visitation and memorial service.

The service will be streamed live at this link https://www.facebook.com/CampbellFuneralHomeYC