Extracted from The Butler Herald (Butler, GA)
Thursday, March 26, 1936

JAMES H. WHATLEY CLAIMED BY DEATH; FUNERAL WEDNESEAY [sic WEDNESDAY]

PIONEER CITIZEN, PROSPEROUS FARMER, FORMER COUNTY OFFICIAL AND NOBLE CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN DIES FOLLOWING OPERATION.

The death of Hon. James Henry Whatley, occurring at a Macon hospital Tuesday morning about eight o'clock, was an occasion of deepest sorrow to his large circle of friends and loved ones throughout Taylor county where he had spent his entire life as one of the county's most useful c[i]tizens, a prosperous farmer, leading churchman, a member of the Board of County Commissioners for a number of years and successful warehouseman and stock dealer of Reynolds.

Mr. Whatley was the son of the late Mr. William and Mrs. Susan Whatley, the date of his birth being recorded as June 2, 1967.

No man ever did more for the advancement and best interest of his community than did Mr. Whatley, his counsel and advice being earnestly sought in matters of educational, religious and civic interests to his town and county.

Mr. Whatley had not enjoyed the best of health for the past year or more, but not until shortly before his passing was his condition considered serious. Monday a physician was summoned to his bedside followed by the announcement that an operation would be necessary upon which advice he was at once admitted to the hospital, but his strength was insufficient to withstand the ordeal.

Surviving Mr. Whatley are his widow, who before their marriage was Miss Elizabeth Saunders, of Reynolds; one daughter, Mrs. Ben W. Hinton, and the following sons: Dr. H. C. Whatley, Dr. C. E. Whatley and Mr. Edgar Whatley all of Reynolds.

The body of Mr. Whatley was brought to his home in Reynolds from the Macon hospital Tuesday and on Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock tenderly laid to rest in the family burial lot, Hill Crest cemetery, followed by impressive funeral services conducted by the pastor of the deceased, Rev. James A. Ivey. The pall bearers were: Messrs D. T. Montfort, Henry Waters, E. P. Hodges, F. W. Hodges, Sam Reeves, Elbert Hill, A. J. Fountain and J. C. Newsome. G. H. Goddard funeral director, in charge of arrangements.