Dr. G. William Whitehurst

 

Died in Norfolk, Virginia on November 7, 2026. He was born in Norfolk in 1925, the son of the late Calvert S. and Laura T. Whitehurst. He attended the Norfolk Public Schools, graduating from Maury High School in 1942. During the Second World War he served in the U.S. Navy and flew combat missions over Japan as a radioman-machine gunner with Torpedo Squadron 88.

In 1946 he married Jennette (Janie) S. Franks of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Mrs. Whitehurst predeceased her husband in 2009. They had two children, a daughter, Frances W. Russell, a son, Calvert S. Whitehurst, III, two grandsons, Matthew J. Russell and Patrick W. Russell, and two great children, Colin William Russell, and Cat Russell who survive them. Prior to his death, Dr. Whitehurst was engaged to Helen E. Spore of Virginia Beach.

Dr. Whitehurst received a B.A. in history from Washington and Lee University in 1950, an M.A. in history from the University of Virginia in 1951, and his Ph.D. in history from West Virginia University in 1962.

He began his academic career as an instructor in history at the Norfolk Division of William and Mary (the predecessor to Old Dominion University) in 1950. In 1963 he was appointed Dean of Students and held that position until his election to the 91st Congress in 1968. A Republican, Dr. Whitehurst was reelected eight successive times and during his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, he served on the Committee on Armed Services, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Ethics Committee. He was also a delegate for ten years to the North Atlantic Assembly, an organization of NATO parliamentarians. In addition, he served three one-year terms on the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy. Dr. Whitehurst received an honorary degree from the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and one from National University. He was also recipient of the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit from the German government in 1986 for his efforts in bringing about the return of Germany's World War II war art.

On his retirement from Congress in 1986, Dr. Whitehurst resumed his academic career at Old Dominion University as the Kaufman Lecturer in Public Affairs, a chair generously funded by George M. and Linda H. Kaufman. In an academic career that spanned over forty years, Dr. Whitehurst taught over 8,000 students. He was most at home in the classroom.

In the years following his retirement from Congress, he was a commentator for WVEC-TV, but had served in a similar capacity during the 1960s for WTAR-TV. At various times he served on the Church Council at Ghent United Methodist Church, the Boards of Virginia Natural Gas, and the Institute for Defense Analyses. He was also a member of the Boards of WHRO, the Planning Council, the Naval Historical Museum Foundation, the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation, the Board of Governors of the Town Point Club, the Board of the Wesley Foundation at Old Dominion University, a member of the Norfolk Host Lions Club, an honorary member of the Norfolk Rotary Club as well as  Town-N-Gown, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Legacy

 

Memorial services will be held in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.

Saturday November 14 at 2:00pm. 1501 Colonial Ave.