William Emerson “Bill” Whitney, 85, of The Villages, FL, passed away on Dec. 17, 2018 after his long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Bill was born on January 12, 1933, the only child of Paul and Evelyn Whitney.
He moved to Gainesville, FL when he was fourteen and always considered himself a Florida boy. He began his long career in law enforcement with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department and ended after many years as a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Bill was a percussionist and played with the U.S. Air Force band and a group known as the Velvetones. He enjoyed theater and enjoyed his work both onstage and back stage with The Villages Theater Company. He was a member of the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (Virginia).
Bill leaves his wife of 36 years, Sylvia, daughter Ronda Davis, son Dwight Whitney and numerous friends and family.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Friday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. at Beyers Funeral Home 134 North Highway 27/441 Lady Lake, FL. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be sent to: Cornerstone Hospice 601 Casa Bella The Villages, FL 32162.
