William Blackmore Whitaker, age 89, passed away on November 3, 2013.
He was born, January 8, 1924, to William D. Whitaker and Nelle (Blackmore) Whitaker in Scotland, Indiana. At an early age, Bill was involved in school activities, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and the 4H Club.
As a young man, Bill grew up working in his father's general store. He loved playing basketball, other athletic activities, and of course learning to drive a car. Later on he delivered groceries to customers in Scotland, as well as the surrounding area.
Bill graduated from Scotland High School in 1941 and enrolled at Indiana University's Bloomington campus in the fall of that year. He majored in business.
Bill was called into military service, May 1943. He served in the Army Air Force in Texas, Montana, and California. Assigned to Navigation School at Hondo, Texas, he received his navigation wings in August 1944. After teaching a class or two of cadets, he acquired further training in California. Bill then had a position as a B-29 navigator. He was assigned to a training base in Clovis, New Mexico, as a navigator in photo re-con, weather re-con, and bombardment.
After serving his country, Bill returned to Indiana University and graduated in February 1947.
Bill took a job as a management trainee with Sears Roebuck in Anderson, Indiana.
He met his future wife, Barbara Jean Rider at Sears, and they were married June 16, 1949, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Anderson.
They were blessed with three children, William B. Whitaker Jr., wife Sue, Katherine L. Buschmann, husband Tom, and David E. Whitaker, wife Debbie. They have six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Bill was a store and group manager with Sears for forty-five years.
Bill and his wife, Barb, lived in Sebring, Florida, for eleven years before moving to Hoosier Village here in Indianapolis, Indiana, in December 2006.
Services will be held at Hoosier Village Chapel on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story.
Sincerely,
-Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan