LTC Wade Howard Whitley, II's Obituary
Lieutenant Colonel Wade Howard Whitley, II passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2010. He is survived by his cherished wife of 49 years, Mary Harmon Whitley, two loved children, a son Wade, III and his wife Donna, of Olive Branch, MS and a daughter Angela W. King and her husband R. Scott King, of Greensboro, NC. They gave him good reason to be proud. There are five grandchildren, Aaron, Ella, Hayden, Simon, and Sophie. All of whom gave him much pleasure; especially watching the grandchildren grow up. Also, there is a surviving brother, Michael J. Whitley of Cobb, GA. He is also survived by many wonderful nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces scattered from Albany GA., to the Indianapolis, IN area and to Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Colonel Whitley retired, due to combat related disabilities, from active service after twenty five years and spent the next fifteen years as an ROTC instructor. After that he spent his time with his family and in support of his church, Hope Presbyterian, where he was a deacon, a Small Group Leader and a Stephen Minister. He was also active in support of the Master Gardener Program for a period of time, the Memphis Botanic Garden (as a Carpenter Dude), the area Junior and Senior ROTC programs as an instructor and through his work in the Military Order of the World Wars, where he served as commander. He had been called a soldier’s officer by his troops. He served with the 2nd Infantry Division (where he was fortunate enough to serve as the executive office of the test battery of the Howze Test Board on Air Assault), 6th Infantry Division, the Quartermaster School, the Infantry School, the Infantry Agency, 5th Corps in Germany, and in the Communications Zone in France. In Vietnam, he served on General Staff with Troops at Headquarters, U. S. Army, Vietnam, with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and the 29th General Support Group. His awards include two Bronze Stars, one Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, perhaps the last American Defense Medal Awarded given, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Commander’s Award for Public Service, five Vietnam Campaign ribbons, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and two RVN Civic Action Medals. One set of accomplishments that he gained great satisfaction from was developing the basic research into, the initiation of the programs for and the establishment of the basic requirements resulting in the battle dress, helmet and body armor that our troops wear today. He only wished he could have continued trying to do more to protect the troops. He believed, that after his mission and the welfare of his troops, his most important duty was to train and encourage those who followed after. LTC Whitley, in his active duty and time as a Senior Army Instructor, taught subjects ranging from hand –to-hand combat to rifle marksmanship to leadership to logistics. His favorite activities included gardening, woodworking, listening to music, photography, reading, helping others, and hiking, camera over the shoulder, with friends and members of his family to find out what was around the next bend in a mountain trail. Col Whitley was fond of classical music (except most operas) and folk music. He also had affection for dogs and, sometimes, cats. His favorite authors were Winston Churchill, C. S. Lewis, Barbara Tuchman, and David Halberstam. (Unfortunately, none of whom are able to write any more.) He graduated from Albany High School, Albany, GA in 1956, and held degrees from the University of Georgia, Western Kentucky University and a diploma from the US Army Command and General Staff College. At the University of Georgia, he served as the University chapter President of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, President of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity chapter, and Chairman of the University President’s Graphic Arts Commission. As a youth, he was involved in the First Methodist Church in Albany, GA., Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Air Explorers, hunting, fishing, boating, coaching Little League sports and working on his old jalopy. Colonel Whitley believed and tried to live his favorite Bible verse, “Unto everything there is a Season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven.” He has now gone, as God wills, to his place with Him at the time for that purpose. The family will receive friends from 2-5 on Sunday, June 20, 2010, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 21, 2010, at 1:00, at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Hope Presbyterian Church Samaritan’s Purse 8500 Walnut Grove Rd. Cordova, TN 38018.
What’s your fondest memory of Wade?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wade?
Share a story where Wade's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wade you’ll never forget.
How did Wade make you smile?