Henry Whitman

Henry Herman Whitman, age 80, of Hobbs, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on January 5, 2018. He was born on October 21, 1937 in Almond, WI to Fred and Rose Whitman. He joined the Air Force and left home at age 19. Henry was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX when he met his first wife, Martha Lou Jones. They were married for 23 years and had two daughters. After eight years in the Air Force and two years in Colorado Springs, they moved to Hobbs in 1968. Henry went back to school and obtained a Bachelor's degree and taught throughout his life. He was a building trades teacher at Hobbs High, New Mexico Junior College, and later on, at the Prison. Mr. Whitman later married Carol Clark Wallace. They eventually settled back in Hobbs where they have resided for the past 27 years. Henry was a passionate carpenter and built several homes in the area. In fact, there wasn't much he couldn't build. Henry loved the outdoors. He loved bass fishing, golfing, and working with his hands. He designed and built his own airplane and numerous model airplanes. One of his most detailed works is his Chama train replica out in his garage. He wanted to sit outside and play with his trains when he was old but he worked so hard he never had much time to play. He built countless pieces of cherished furniture for friends and family. He loved to travel in his RV and just be outside. Anyone who knew him knows he never met a stranger. There wasn't a person in the world that he wouldn't help. He loved his friends, his family, and most importantly, God.

Henry is survived by: his wife, Carol Whitman, two daughters, Melissa Harryman and her husband Bill of Midland, TX and Cassie Cates and her husband Donny of Andrews, TX. He also has 9 grandchildren: Callie (Casey) Littlefield, Mary Lynch, Sam (Natalie) Harryman, Jordan (Jerry) Rhoudes, Kylie Wright, Amber Sechrist, and Kerrington, Peyton and Corbin Cates. He has 7 great-grandchildren: Hoyt Littlefield, Landon and Blake Lynch, a great-granddaughter, Emalynn Rhoudes, due in February, and Christian, Kaylie, Cederic, and Kira Sechrist. He is also survived by a brother in Almond, WI, Larry Whitman, his wife Esther, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Rose and Fred Whitman, a sister, Delores Nordness, step-son Mark Wallace, step-daughter Carla Wallace, and a granddaughter, Mackenzie Wright.

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