William Whitehead Jr.

Funeral services for William J. Whitehead, Jr. 87, Savannah, MO (formerly of Lawrence) will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2009.   Military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.  He died February 10, 2009 at La Verna Village Nursing Home in Savannah, Missouri.

He was born July 28, 1921 in Ft. Riley, Kansas the son of William J. and Pearl M. (Hunt) Whitehead.

He attended Topeka High School.  He served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Sergeant.  He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his service.   He worked for Farmland Industries as a shift supervisor for 30 years.

He was a  32nd Degree Mason a member of the Lawrence Masonic Lodge #6; a Boy Scout Leader; a member of the VFW, DAV and the 86th Division Rolling W.  He was generous with his time and possessions; and made an impression on those he met.

He married Gladys M. Bennett on October 5, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on January 6, 2008.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara (William) Martin, Savannah, MO; a son, James (JoAnn) Whitehead of Logan, Utah; two sisters, Dorothy Babcock and Vivian (Earl) Anderson all of Huntsville, AL; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Family will greet friends an hour before the service at the mortuary.

Family suggests memorials in his name to Heartland Hands of Hope Hospice (St. Joseph, MO) and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com Subject:  Whitehead.