James Clarence "Chief" Whitehair

James C. Whitehair, 86, of Massillon, passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025.  He was born February 20, 1939, in Pennsboro, West Virginia, a son to the late Jesse and Ora (Stull) Whitehair.  While still a small boy, his dad died prematurely, so Jim was raised by his mother and step-father, the late Leonard Spicer.  He enlisted in the Air Force before completing high school, serving honorably and later receiving his GED. 

Known to his friends and workmates as “Chief,” Jim worked as a furnace operator until his retirement from Eaton Corporation in Massillon.

A devoted husband and a loving and supportive father, grandpa and great-grandpa, Jim treasured his wife and family.  He and his wife Lou had been married sixty years at the time of her passing in 2020, and he lived each day since then in the hope of seeing her again.  

In his leisure time and into retirement, Jim loved golfing in the summer and bowling in the winter – especially with old friends as often as they could all get together.  His social memberships included the Massillon Amvets Post 12, and VFW Post 3421.

Predeceased by his parents, his step-father, and his wife, Mary Lou (Yost) Whitehair; Jim is survived by his daughters, Tammy Whitehair and Terri Decker, both of Massillon, and step-son, Sherman Holiday, of Dalton; grandchildren, Kyle Whitehair, Sarah Limbach, Brad Decker, Miranda Decker and Ryan Holiday; and great-grandchildren, Syndie and Sofia Limbach and Wesley Weisand.

The family will mark Jim’s passing with a private chapel service and military honors prior to burial at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens.  By their invitation, a celebration of Jim’s life will follow later in the day.  In lieu of flowers, the family has encouraged memorial contributions made in person or by mail to AMVETS Post 12, 653 Earl Road NW, Massillon, Ohio 44647.   Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  Your memories and condolences are always welcome and may be added here to Jim’s on-line guestbook.

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