William Joseph Whetzel

William J. (Bill) Whetzel

February 27, 1927 – November 10, 2024

William J. (Bill) Whetzel, age 97, of Sarasota Florida died of natural causes November 10, 2024. Born February 27, 1927 in Manhattan, Kansas. Bill was one of three children of Elsie (Eft) and Joseph Lowery Whetzel. As a young man he grew up in Champaign, Illinois. In 1945, during World War II, Bill joined the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Fiske #842 based in Norfolk, Va. At the conclusion of his military service, he returned to Illinois where he went to work for the family business, Whetzel Brothers Construction Company. In 1950 Bill started the Builders Supply Company in Bloomington, Illinois. Builders Supply was the first remote controlled ready mix concrete batching plant in the United States. While in Bloomington, Bill was an active member of the Masonry Shrine, Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Club. In 1954 Bill met and married Gwen Elder of Lexington, Illinois. They were married for 67 years and have two daughters, Sue Ann Whetzel and Janet Whetzel Slabaugh. In 1967 the family moved to Sarasota with Snap-On Tools and later started businesses which included, The Gulf Gate Inspection Station, The Tennessee tree farm, The vending machine company and Tri-Star trailer sales. Bill was an active member of Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, Gulf Gate Neighborhood Assn. and The Airplane Owners Pilots Association. He volunteered at St. John Cemetery where he removed over 23 tons of debris and yard waste, raised a puppy for the Southeastern Guide Dog Assoc. and donated over 10 gallons of blood to the local blood bank. Bill and his wife loved family and friends and were active entertainers at their home. Bill loved to travel and enjoyed visiting friends and family throughout the United States. He and his wife visited 50 states (multiple times). He was proceeded in death by his wife Gwen, sisters Dorothy Cordes and Wilma Shapland. He is survived by his daughters Sue Ann Whetzel and Janet Whetzel Slabaugh along with Dave (son-in-law) Slabaugh, Steven and Kyle Slabaugh grandchildren. His service will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery on January 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Historical Society of Sarasota County (HSoSC.com).