William "Billy" Ross Whitmire

William (Billy) Ross Whitmire, 77, of Newton, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born on June 8, 1948, he was the son of the late Charles Robert Whitmire and Odessa Whitmire.

Billy loved his family above all else. He cherished his grandchildren and took great joy in watching his grandson wrestle in high school. He enjoyed cars, coin collecting, and building model cars. He hoped to be remembered as a loving son, grandson, brother, husband, father, and grandparent, and all who knew him would agree that he fulfilled these roles with warmth and devotion.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Shirley Jeanne Whitmire; his daughters Amy Moore (Jason) and Andrea Evans (Cliff); his brother Douglas Whitmire (Gwendolyn); and his treasured grandchildren William Moore, Elizabeth Moore, and Sara Evans.

In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his brother Dale Whitmire; his sister Candy Laws; and his grandparents Everett Setzer and Hattie Setzer.

The visitation will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 217 2nd Ave NE, Conover, NC. The funeral service, led by Reverend Peggy Stout, will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will take place at Catawba Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at the Jenkins Funeral Home website. The Whitmire family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton, 828-464-1555.