William, “Bill”, was born September 13, 1947 in Helena, Arkansas to Lt. Col. W.G. Whitaker, Jr. and Jessie Blanch Carr Whitaker. He grew up all across the country while traveling with his family on Air Force assignments, before finally landing in San Antonio, Texas shortly after high school. In February of 1968, he enrolled in Officer Candidate School for the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and served as Platoon Leader in the Vietnam War, receiving the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Parachutist Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and an Army Commendation Medal. He married the love of his life, Andrea H. Straughan, in December of 1969, moving to Killeen while he finished his military career before retiring as Captain in 1971. In 1972, they moved to Austin, Texas where he joined the Austin Police Department. Awaiting the birth of their daughter Jessica in 1984, they arrived in Pflugerville, Texas, a place they would call home for nearly 35 years. He worked for APD many years and retired as a Sergeant in 1998. Bill thoroughly enjoyed retired life. His daughter Jessica married Christopher Passmore of Cypress, TX in 2009 and they blessed him with five grandchildren who were his absolute pride and joy.
Bill had a habit of reading the obituaries daily in the newspaper “to check to make sure he wasn’t in there.” His sense of humor was one of a kind.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William G. Whitaker, Jr. and Jessie B. Whitaker, and his brother, Ronald Whitaker. Bill is survived by his bride of 52 years, Andrea; daughter, Jessica Passmore and husband, Christopher of Cypress, TX; grandchildren, Mia Beth (10), Levi (8), Anne (6), Gabriel (5), and Elliot (3).
A visitation for Bill will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628, with the funeral service starting at 11:00 AM. Bill will be laid to rest on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 1:45 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Whitaker family.
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