Extracted from The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS)
W. L. Whittington
W. L. Whittington passed away Friday, April 23, 2010, at Baptist Medical Center following a courageous battle with leukemia. Funeral services will be held at 11am today at Brandon Baptist Church with Dr. Clarence Cooper and Rev. Farley Ernest officiating. Burial will be in The New Brandon Cemetery.
W. L. was born February 22, 1940, in Liberty, MS to the late Clayton and Rose Whittington. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1958 as a Football High School All American. He attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship and was a member of the M Club. He graduated from Delta State University obtaining a Master's Degree in Education and then coached the football team at Brandon High School in 1965. He worked for the State Department of Education for 27 years in Adult Education. W.L. was on the Brandon Board of Alderman from 1985-1989, and proudly served as Mayor of Brandon from 1989-1997. Along with the administrations during his eight-year tenure, many goals were accomplished for the city of Brandon. He was a charter member of Brandon Baptist Church a member of Max Gilliland's Sunday School Class and a leader in every sense of the word.
W. L. is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Millie Wyatt Whittington; their 2 children: daughter, Memrie Conner, her husband Bill, and son, Will Whittington, his wife, Christie; 4 grandchildren Whitt Conner, Josh Conner, Christopher Pippin, and Carly Pippin.
He is also survived by 2 sisters, Pat Smith and husband Kenneth of St. Joseph, LA and Becky Riggar and husband Stewart of Alexandria, LA; a brother, Garland Whittington and wife Margie of Liberty, MS. He also leaves several wonderful nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Rose Foreman Whittington, his sister Polly Wilkinson, and his brother Glen Whittington.
The family wishes to thank all of the many caring doctors and nurses at Baptist Hospital and St. Dominic Hospital. The family also deeply appreciates Dr. Robert Rester who was W. L.'s doctor when he was diagnosed with Hodgkins thirty-five years ago.
Memorials may be made to Brandon Baptist Church Building Fund or to The American Cancer Society.
Monday, April 26, 2010