Born on April 25th, 1959 in Louise, Mississippi. Willie and his twin brother, who did not survive, would be the last of 17 children born to Elijah and Hattie Whitaker. The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1971 where Willie received his formal education through the Milwaukee Public Schools System. In 1979, Willie joined theContinue Reading
Born on April 25th, 1959 in Louise, Mississippi. Willie and his twin brother, who did not survive, would be the last of 17 children born to Elijah and Hattie Whitaker.
The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1971 where Willie received his formal education through the Milwaukee Public Schools System.
In 1979, Willie joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for many years where he learned to speak German fluently. Being in the army afforded him the opportunity to travel around the world learning to speak several other languages. He was eventually promoted to Sargent and proudly fought for our country in Desert Storm. After returning home safely, he was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas and was honorably discharged in 1992. Soon thereafter, he moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, attended many of their games and became friends with Reggie White. He had memorabilia in every room in his home. He eventually took residence in Appleton, Wisconsin where he volunteered as a campaign worker fighting for equality.
In his younger years, he enjoyed spending time with his brothers, especially to team up for a game of basketball. Their opponents knew the game was over before it started!
He loved music of all genres and treasured his large collection of vinyls, CDs and cassette tapes comprised of Classical, Blues, Soul and much more. He also had a love for cats and deeply loved his feline friend, Legend. And…just like his brothers, he loved cowboy boots and various types of hats and had quite the collection of them as well!.
The joy of family, laughter, storytelling and conversing with his siblings meant a lot him. He also enjoyed speaking with his special friend Barbara Howard.
He had a special love for his mother and often spoke about how she taught the family the importance of faith in God and prayer. He often spoke of her as his angel in heaven watching over him.
After a long battle with cancer, he departed this life on March 16th, 2019. Willie touched the lives of many with his positivity and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
He leaves to cherish his memory seven brothers: James (Ruby) Whitaker of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt (Mammie Jean) Whitaker of Jackson, Mississippi, Melvin (Mary) Whitaker, and Elijah (Kim) Whitaker of Chicago, Illinois and Joseph (Mary) Whitaker, Larry (Kelly) Whitaker and Eddie Whitaker all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; four sisters: Martha Nixon, Mary Johnson, Betty Farris and Emma Foxx all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elijah and Hattie Whitaker, his sisters Rodella Whitaker and Thelma Johnson, and his brother Joseph Bee Whitaker.
Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, March 29, 2019, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin.
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