David Michael Whitson

MARS HILL – David Michael Whitson, age 60, of Mars Hill passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

David was born on March 11, 1966, in Buncombe County where he graduated from North Buncombe High School and was their starting Quarterback. He proudly served our country in the United States Army as an Army Ranger where he earned awards such as the Army Service Ribbon, Parachute Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Ranger Tab, Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (M-16), and an Expert Qualification Badge (Hand Grenade). He attended Western Carolina University and then worked in Security at the Nuclear Power Plant in Oak Ridge, TN. He later transferred to Washington State.

David was active in Western Carolina Search and Rescue Teams with his trained Rottweilers. He was an avid Tennessee Volunteers football fan and enjoyed cooking a good steak. He loved working in his garden and appreciating nature from his front porch. David was the son of the late Michael “Tony” Reed Whitson.

Surviving is his mother, Mary Yount Whitson; sister, Lisa Roberts and husband Keith; three children; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Kyle Roberts and wife Jessie, Kourtni Rogers and husband Grady, and Kaitlyn Norton and husband Lee; and ten grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Clark Henderson officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Veterans section of West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts St., Weaverville, with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2026, prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to serve and care for the Whitson family during this time.