Surrounded by loving family, Michael Byron Willhoit passed into eternal peace on Sunday, November 17 ^th 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he was also born and lived the majority of his life.

Born to Thomas and Vernetta Willhoit on January 7 ^th 1953, Michael was the eldest of their four children. He was raised in the hills of Theodosia, Missouri before moving with his family to Springfield during his elementary years. Michael graduated from Glendale High School in 1971, where he also played varsity football and was revered for his kicking abilities.  He attended one semester of college at Southwest Missouri State University before surrendering to his life-long obsession with motorcars.  While also performing stints as a drag-car racer under the team name "Willhoit-Strong," Michael began his career in sports cars working as a salesman at Reliable Chevrolet. It was at this time in 1973 that Michael married his long-time love and high school sweetheart, with whom he fathered his two daughters.  Michael worked diligently to conquer his dream and in 1978 opened his exotic car sales business known to hundreds in the industry as simply, "Willhoit Enterprises."  Michael maintained this adoration for fast cars for 37 years at the helm of his company, before closing his business in 2018.

Michael is preceded in death by his first wife, Becky Wolfe; his brother, Mark Willhoit; his father, Thomas Willhoit; and his mother, Vernetta Crawford. Michael is survived by his daughters, Rachel Morgan and Autumn Courtney; his grandson, Izaac Morgan; his second wife, Krystal McCullough; his third wife, Lisa Willhoit; his sisters, Sherryl Willhoit and Merry Carmichael; and his beloved golden retrievers, Gracie and Bella.

Michael was a lover of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He was a fitness enthusiast and could be seen on many warm afternoon jogging the streets of Springfield. He was an incredibly supportive, loving, protective, generous father and grandfather.  Michael was a lover of good friends, beautiful women, his dogs, and any time that could be spent laughing about old times. He will be missed by so many, but none more than the lives he changed with his love.

Services for Michael B. Willhoit will be held Tuesday, November 26 ^th 2019 at 4:30pm at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole.