Whit Whitney

“Whit” Whitney a resident of The Pines in Davidson, NC passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on Sunday, May 9, 2021 leaving behind a legacy of service to others, a zest for life, and love for his family. 

Born in Newark, NJ on November 2, 1922, he was the son of Arthur and Helene Whitney. Whit grew up in South Orange NJ, attended Columbia High School and Blair Academy, graduating in 1942. He attended Lehigh University in 1942, however, World War II interrupted his education and he spent 2 ½ years in the U.S. Army. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received during the Battle of the Bulge and after recuperating he picked up his studies at Lehigh and received his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1947.

Whit began work as an engineer for EBASCO Services after college and after transferring from New York to Lumberton, NC, he met and married Ora Maria Parham. They started their family while working in Goldsboro, NC, having son William, and then transferred to Lancaster, PA where they had their daughter Sally.  They had decided to make Lancaster their home, so Whit left EBASCO and took a job with D. S. Warfel Associates, Inc., a general contractor in the area. Whitney rose from estimator to project manager and then served as President for 12 years until retiring in 1987.  Throughout his career, he assumed leadership roles in many organizations in the construction industry.

Whit’s Christian faith was very important to him and in 1958, the Whitney family was one of 13 families to begin a new mission church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Lancaster PA.   Whit served on numerous diocesan committees of the Diocese of Harrisburg. He was elected many times to serve as a Lay Deputy to the Episcopal Church’s national convention. Internationally, he and Ora traveled to Japan to participate in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Anglicanism in Japan and he led a small group to the other companion diocese of Dhakka in Bangladesh. Long dedicated to mission within the church, he also served as a member of the Board of the General Theological Seminary in New York City and on the National Cathedral Association Board in Washington, D.C. He was elected and served on the Nomination Committee for the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA, as the first laymen involved in this process.

Whit was also very dedicated to Rotary International.  He attended many Rotary International Conventions and faithfully attended meetings around the world, even while on vacation.  In 2010, he was honored for his 50 years of perfect attendance.  He served as President of Lancaster Rotary Club, and then as District Governor of South Central PA.   He was actively involved in starting 2 new Rotary Clubs in PA., 6 Rotary clubs in NC as a member of the North Mecklenburg Rotary Club and was actively involved in organizing and starting a Rotary Club via the internet in the Ukraine.

Long having been strongly committed to his Alma Mater of Lehigh University, he was a regular attendee at the most contested football contest in the history of college football. He attended well over 50 Lehigh - Lafayette football games. In 1987, his love for Lehigh University was recognized when he received “The Alumni Award“ in grateful recognition for his four decades of service to his Alma Mater and to his fellow human beings.”

In 1995, he and Ora moved to “The Pines,” a retirement community in Davidson, NC.

While in Davidson, he and Ora met many friends through their Church, Rotary and at the Pines. They avidly attended Davidson Men’s and Women’s basketball games, and both pursued their passion for golf and travelling. 

In 2011, Whit lost his beloved wife of 62 years, Ora.  He was fortunate to find love again in 2014, when he married Charlotte Hamor.  They had 5 wonderful years together until she passed away in 2019.  Throughout his isolation during Covid, Whit filled his days with another of his passions, cross-stitching, making his great grandson, Jackson Kenneth a memorable Christmas stocking. 

Whit was predeceased by his younger brother, Richard.  He is survived by his son, William and his wife Laura, their daughter Rachael and great grandson Jackson Kenneth of Bremerton, WA, his daughter and best friend, Sally of Mooresville as well as Charlotte’s children Grainger Smith, Charlotte Hawkins and their families. 

The family wishes to thank Susan Echterling, Kathy Mulligan and Lauren Tomasetti for their years of loving support.  Also, special thanks, to the nurses and staff at Novant Huntersville who took such loving care of Whit in his final hours. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Alban’s on Saturday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. Those unable to attend the service in person are invited to attend remotely via livestream on the church’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StAlbansEpiscopalDavidson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the following: St. Albans Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson, NC, 28036, or The Pine Resident Support Fund 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036

Arrangements are under the care of Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home Huntersville, NC.  An online guestbook is available at www.raymerfh.com. 

Whit’s remains will be interred in the memorial garden of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA at a date which has not been set.