Carol Willhoit, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026, at her home in Littleton, Colorado. She was born January 8, 1945, in Birmingham, England, to Frances Bridgwater and Donald Spurlin. As the daughter of a war bride mother and G.I. soldier father, Carol crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary to move from England to the United States at a young age. During her childhood, Carol moved many times with her family living in multiple states and attending 15 different schools. She excelled educationally and was awarded three scholarships to attend Alabama College. While in college, she met her future husband, Etzel M. Willhoit, whom she married on October 22, 1965. As an Air Force wife and the wife of a Commercial Pilot, Carol moved to Florida, Chicago, and San Francisco with her husband, before settling in Littleton, Colorado where Etzel and Carol raised their two sons Etzel II and Kenyon. Throughout her life, Carol was hardworking and dedicated, leading successful careers at Rose Packing Company and as a Head Banking Teller, where she displayed her knack for numbers and analytical thinking. An advocate, a strong personality, and a leader, Carol invested her time in many good causes including schools, parent organizations, and politics.

While she moved many times during her life, Carol was British through and through. She enjoyed a good cup of tea, dry British humor, and reveled in wit. Her dry sense of humor and her wit will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She had a deep connection with travel, and successfully visited all 7 continents, many of which she accomplished through an extensive list of sea cruises with her husband. She loved crafts and quilting and parlayed her love for crafts into supporting well purposed organizations such as Firehouse quilts. Alongside crafting, Carol enjoyed many things including being an avid reader and athletic pursuits. She was an incredible Mom to her boys and a great homemaker. Her family fondly looks back on her cooking, where she would follow directions in the general sense, making a recipe her own way and in a way that could never be replicated. Her pancakes, French toast, and Yorkshire pudding will be dearly missed.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband; her siblings; her sons; and her grandchildren. Being the strong and practical person that she was, Carol asked that in lieu of flowers, you honor her by enjoying a good cup of English tea, a scoop of your favorite gelato, or a slice of delicious watermelon. Carol’s husband and sons will lay her to rest at the Fort Logan National Cemetery.