Born in Wauchula, Florida, Whitehurst received a Bachelor of Laws from the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida.
He was a county judge in DeSoto County, Florida from 1917 to 1919, and a Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida from 1919 to 1947.
[1] Whitehurst was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on January 30, 1950, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, to a new joint seat authorized by 63 Stat.
He served as Chief Judge of the Southern District from 1959 to 1961.
His service terminated on January 13, 1974, due to his death.