Hunter Cole Wilhite, 27, was unapologetically himself. Grounded, hardworking, and honest to a fault, he knew who he was and what he stood for. Hunter didn’t sugarcoat the truth or tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you how it was and how it was going to be, whether you liked it or not.

Hunter was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved deeply, stood firmly by his convictions, and believed that love should never be an excuse to hurt someone. He’d give anybody a chance, but if you burned him once, he wasn’t sticking his hand back in the fire to find out if it was still hot. He learned his lessons the first time, and he’d be more than happy to tell you exactly where you stood.

Hunter was raised by his grandmother, Paula Cook Miller, whom he proudly called Momma. She was his mother in every way that mattered. She taught him to work hard, stand his ground, know his worth, and never let anybody tell him what he couldn’t accomplish. Those lessons shaped the man he became.

Hunter loved hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He and his dad, Bunky, shared countless hunting trips, and those two somehow always managed to come home with meat. Whether it was after work or a weekend, Hunter would stop by for a visit, usually saying he could only stay a minute. But a minute with Hunter had a funny way of turning into hours, and there was never a moment he wasn’t welcome. Those visits were never long enough, and now, somehow, they’ll be missed the most. Hunter was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Lodge 341 in Texarkana, Arkansas. A pride and heritage that has been passed down through five generations of the family.

But of everything Hunter loved, nothing compared to his little boy, Charlie.

Hunter had dreamed of having a family of his own for years. Becoming Charlie’s daddy was one of his greatest joys. He wanted to teach his son everything he knew: how to work hard, be honest, stand up for himself, and become a good man. More than anything, he wanted Charlie to always know he was loved, wanted, and protected.

Hunter had a lifetime of plans for his little boy, and losing those years together is a heartbreak beyond words. Charlie will grow up knowing his daddy through photographs, videos, and the stories told by those who loved him. But he will never have to question how deeply Hunter loved him. That love was fierce, unconditional, and bigger than life itself.

Hunter leaves behind his beloved son, Charlie; his father, Bunky Wilhite; his bonus mom, Deana Wilhite, his mother, Raney Miller Sprayberry.

He also leaves behind his grandmother, Sheila Wilhite; his sisters, Brittny Pickens and her husband, Dakota; Jocelyn Wilhite; and his sister, Emilee Bullock; his brother, Brayden Wilhite; and his niece and nephew, Elizabeth and Watson Pickens, and niece Kasaleigh Miller and nephew Kota Miller. He is also survived by his aunts, Dee Dee Kuykendall and Jenny McDowell, and his uncles, Zeke Miller and Deke Miller, and Tim Miller, and his aunts, Lisa Jones and Karmi Miller; uncle Ray Miller, and grandfather Jimmy Miller.

Hunter was preceded in death by his beloved Momma, Paula Cook Miller, his uncle Scott Miller, his stepfather, Jeff Williams, and his grandfather, Johnny Mac Wilhite Sr., affectionately known as Papa. Though Hunter never had the chance to meet Papa, he spoke of him often, carrying a love for a grandfather he knew through family stories.

Hunter wasn’t perfect, and he’d have been the first to tell you so. He was stubborn, outspoken, sometimes hardheaded, and never particularly worried about being everybody’s cup of tea. But he was loyal, genuine, and loved his people with everything he had.

On October 10, 2026, Hunter’s life ended far too soon. There should have been more hunting seasons, fishing trips, family gatherings, and visits that started with “I’m only stopping by for a minute.”

There should have been so much more.

Hunter lived his life his way. He worked hard, spoke the truth, loved fiercely, and never pretended to be anybody other than himself.

He wasn’t a perfect man. He was a real one and a Christian.

And he was ours.

In lieu of flowers, make contributions to your favorite charity.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.