He was born in Coeburn Virginia, son of George and Emma Eugenia Steffey Whittaker, preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth Yates Whittaker; Son, Michael (Rosa) Whittaker of Annapolis Maryland; Daughter, Brenda (James) Howard of Big Rapids Michigan; four Grandchildren, Dr. Julie Howard, Melissa (Gerald) Langworthy , Katherine (Andrew) Peters, and David Whittaker; four Great Grandchildren, Phillip and Matthew Langworthy, and Sarah and Hannah Peters. He is also survived by a niece, Jenny (Timothy) Carr and a nephew, Winford Mills.
After attending high school, Eugene would work in the local town movie theatre as a projectionist, and in the advent of World War II, volunteered to serve in the United States Navy as a Photographer’s Mate, seeing duties in San Diego California, New Orleans Louisiana, and the South Pacific theatre of operations. He would serve in aerial reconnaissance and shipboard operations, surviving a ship sinking from Japanese torpedo attack.
After the war, Eugene would return to his native Virginia and worked for the Clinchfield Coal Company for a number of years, eventually moving to Michigan to pursue opportunities in the post-war industrial boom. In 1954, Eugene and Ruth would marry, and Eugene would go on to work at American Metal as a rolling mill operator producing parts in support of the automotive industry.
In 1969, Eugene would have an opportunity to join the Ford Motor Company skilled trades apprenticeship program, becoming a Journeyman Millwright where he worked for the next 23 years retiring in 1992.
Eugene was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons for 57 years, rising to 32nd degree Scottish Rite and membership in the Shriner’s Organization in support of Children’s Hospitals. He worked tirelessly to raise money in support of children and volunteered his time to work at the annual Detroit Shrine Circus for many years in food service inventory and served as Circus Chairman.
Eugene was an avid reader of the historical military genre and enjoyed yard work as well as small engine repair.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 9 from 2 pm until 9 pm with a Masonic service at 7 pm. A funeral service will on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10 am with visitation starting at 9:30 am. Services will be at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038.
Entombment will take place on Wednesday, October 10 at Acacia Park Cemetery, 31300 Southfield Rd., Beverly Hills, MI 48025.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or www.donate.lovetotherescue.org
