Bill Whittaker

William Otis Whittaker, 91, of 406 Lansbury Drive, Danville, Virginia, died at his home on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Born January 17, 1920, in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, he was married for 57 years to his beloved wife Rosa Spencer Whittaker who predeceased him in 2003. He was the son of the late William R. Whittaker and Susie Lee Whittaker both of Tazewell County, Virginia. Mr. Whittaker, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was a member of Grace Design United Methodist Church in Danville for 51 years. While his involvement in Grace Design was reduced because of illness over the past few years, he formerly was an active member of the church choir, Sunday school and numerous church committees. He and his wife loved the church and their church family. Mr. Whittaker graduated from Bluefield West Virginia Business College with the equivalent of an associate degree in business. After working as a bookkeeper for two years he entered the United States Navy. A veteran of World War II, he served his country in the South Pacific theater of operations. A retiree for the past 29 years, he was employed, during most of his working life, in sales as a regional salesman for Andrew Jergens, Inc., a health and beauty aids company headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. As a regional salesman, he covered south-central Virginia and north-central North Carolina. While employed with Andrew Jergens, Mr. Whittaker was frequently recognized by the company for his exceptional sales results, his work ethic and his customer service initiatives. After retiring from Jergens, he managed several stations for the A. T. Williams Oil Company of Winston Salem. He is survived by two daughters, Joyce W. Sparks of Danville and Janet W. Swann of Virginia Beach, Virginia; a son, William Donald Whittaker of Rockville, Maryland; five grandchildren, Kerry L. Sparks of Eagle River, Alaska, Scott A. Swann of Boulder, Colorado, Joshua P. Whittaker of Danville, Jeremy R. Swann of Virginia Beach, and Ann W. Harris of Durham, North Carolina; six great-granddaughters, one great-grandson, and one brother, Charlie Whittaker of Windsor, Connecticut. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, he was predeceased by two sisters and one brother. Funeral services for Mr. Whittaker will be held at Grace Design United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Dr. James Siddons, officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service and will be at the residence on Lansbury Drive after the service for further visitation. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Grace Design United Methodist Church, 1064 Franklin Turnpike, Danville, VA 24540. Wrenn-Yeatts, North Main Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Bill Whittaker

January 17, 1920 - May 24, 2011