Henry Rupert Wilhoit Jr.

Henry Rupert Wilhoit Jr. (February 11, 1935 – September 12, 2022) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Henry Rupert Wilhoit Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
In office December 31, 2000 – September 12, 2022
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
In office 1998–2000
Preceded by	William Bertelsman
Succeeded by	Karl Spillman Forester
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
In office September 28, 1981 – December 31, 2000
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Howard David Hermansdorfer
Succeeded by	Karen K. Caldwell
Personal details
Born	(1935-02-11)February 11, 1935 Ashland, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	September 12, 2022(2022-09-12) (aged 87) Grayson, Kentucky, U.S.
Education	University of Kentucky College of Law (LLB)

Education and career

Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Wilhoit received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1960. He was in private practice in Grayson, Kentucky from 1960 to 1981, serving as the city attorney for Grayson from 1962 to 1966, and was the county attorney of Carter County, Kentucky from 1966 to 1970.

Federal judicial service

On August 11, 1981, Wilhoit was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky vacated by Judge Howard David Hermansdorfer. Wilhoit was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25, 1981, and received his commission on September 28, 1981. He served as chief judge from 1998 to 2000, assuming senior status on December 31, 2000.

Wilhoit died on September 12, 2022, at the age of 87.

Sources

• Henry Rupert Wilhoit Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.