Kathryn ‘Kathy’ Bolding Whigham, 91, of Huntsville, AL passed away on July 31, 2026. Kathy Whigham was born in Franklin County, AL on February 16, 1935, and was raised by her grandparents John and Leona Bolding. She graduated from Russellville High School, Russellville AL, in 1953 where she was a member of the marching band. She went on to earn a certificate from North Alabama School of Business. She moved to Huntsville, AL and worked as a secretary for the US army at Redstone Arsenal. She met Wilton Whigham at Gibson’s Bar-B-Que, where their respective church’s singles would gather on Sunday evenings. They were married October 29, 1960. Kathy was a strong individual who overcame physical hardships to raise 3 children and create a home for her family.
She was an active member of Southside Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL, serving as Children’s Sunday School director. She was a skilled seamstress, a skill she acquired from her mother, and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After Wilton’s retirement, Kathy and Wilton were very active with Alabama Campers on Mission, rebuilding homes after disasters and working on many other projects with churches and Christian schools across the U.S. With Campers on Mission, Kathy created a puppet ministry to minister to children as well as elderly. She especially loved the puppet shows they performed for seniors in retirement homes and assisted living facilities. In 2015, Kathy and Wilton Whigham were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Campers on Mission.
Kathy is survived by three children, Phil Whigham of Terre Haute, Indiana, Susanne Woodell (Derrick) of Asheville, North Carolina, and John Whigham of Melbourne, Florida; grandchildren, Gage Huffman (Haley) and Levi Whigham; niece, Candy Sullivan (Timmy) and nephews, David Andrews (Michele) and Paul Andrews. Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Wilton Whigham, and her parents, John and Leona Bolding.
Visitation will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home chapel on Wednesday, August 5, at 1:30 PM, followed by the funeral service at 2:30.
Wilton and Kathy Whigham were supporters of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home. Memorial donations may be made to Alabama Baptist Children’s Home at www.alabamachild.org/give. Wilton and Kathy Whigham, through Alabama Campers on Mission, were active in projects and maintenance at Shocco Springs. Memorial donations may be made to Shocco Springs at www.shocco.org/about/give/.
