Ottis "Slim" Dewey Whitman

Ottis Dewey Whitman, known as “Slim” Whitman passed away on June 19th, 2013. He was 90 years old. Slim had a beautiful childhood going fishing on the Hillsborough River. He loved baseball and became a pitcher for the Plant City Berries. Slim was in World War II and was in Okinawa when the war ended. Music was to become a part of his life getting a radio program at a local Tampa Station. Colonel Tom Parker heard him and signed him to a record contract in 1948 with RCA records. He moved from Tampa to Nashville, where he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, then to Shreveport, LA where he headlined the Louisiana Hayride for a number of years, which was the rival to the Grand Ole Opry. His hit records in the early 50’s on Imperial Records were “ Love Song of the Waterfall”, “Indian Love Call”, “ China Doll”, “Cattle Call”, “ Keep it a Secret”, “ Secret Love”, “Rose Marie” and others. “Rose Marie” became number 1 in the British Isles and over the world in 1955. He was wildly popular in Europe having 5 records in the British Isles for 11 consecutive weeks which was a record. He won the Best International Artist by the British Country Music Assoc. in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Slim had multiple pop albums reaching #1 in the middle 70’s. He toured all over the world and loved meeting people after the shows. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for music and was one of the first County Music Stars to have one. He appeared in the movie “Jamboree” and his music was featured in the music Mars attack. Slim recorded more than 65 albums in a career spanning 6 decades. His last recording was in 2010 called “Twilight on the Trail” and is a success on the mail order firm CD BABY and I-tunes etc. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jerry in 2009. Survivors include his son Byron Whitman, daughter Sharron Beagle (Roy), 2 brothers Armand and Robert Whitman, grandchildren Dewey Beagle and Twila East, and great-grandchildren Amber and Garrett Beagle. He was loved all over the world and will be missed always. Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Rock Bible Church, formerly the Church of the Brethren. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time. The public is invited to attend. HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME, 127 Blanding Blvd. Orange Park, FL 32073 in charge of arrangements. Post tributes at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com