Wilbur Carrington Whitten, Jr., whose life graced many with wisdom and dedication, passed away on December 6, 2022, at the age of 91 in his Forest residence. Born on March 16, 1931, in Lynchburg to Wilbur C. "Red" Whitten and Louise Poole Whitten, Wilbur leaves behind a legacy cherished by many.
He rejoins his beloved wife of 62 years, Beverly Jean Whitten, alongside his sister, Mary Lynn Whitten, and brother, Franklin Hardwell Whitten, in the embrace of eternity.
Wilbur's academic journey began at E.C. Glass High School, culminating in his graduation in 1949. A proud alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1953, he furthered his intellectual pursuits by obtaining a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and later a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1961. His contributions to Geometric Topology as a research professor spanned a remarkable 30-year tenure at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana, starting in 1965.
Beyond his scholarly achievements, Wilbur's passions embraced the melodies of Bluegrass, where he found joy practicing with his banjo. His patriotism and dedication were evident through his service in the US Army. But perhaps his greatest devotion was reserved for his roles as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Paul C. Whitten and his wife Marnie of Lynchburg; his daughter, Jennifer A. Whitten and her partner Michael McElheny of Cleveland, OH; his brother, Thomas P. Whitten of Beaufort, SC; five grandchildren, Tyler Whitten, Brandon Whitten, Hannah Knowles and her husband Bryce, Avery Whitten and Andrew Whitten —along with the newest addition to the family, great-grandchild Colvin Knowles.
A celebration of Wilbur Carrington Whitten, Jr.'s life will be held at the Whitten Timberlake Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022, where Celebrant Polly Starnes will officiate. Following this service, he will be laid to rest in Fort Hill Memorial Park, a final tribute to a life lived with purpose and passion.
Contributions in Wilbur's memory may be made to Salvation Army, www.salvationarmypotomac.org/locations/lynchburg.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whittentimberlake.com for the Whitten family.
