He taught my husband all about diving.   What a fantastic mentor he was.  He taught me much in swimming.  My deepest condolences to the family and all affected.

Brother Bill ,
Your energy and passion for life lives on .
Memories are abundant. Laughter is always present upon recollections. 
You impacted many along your journey.
Whitaker family has lost a significant piece of the family puzzle .
We miss and love you .
Rest in peace my brother.
Cw

What a loss that I just learned - A great man and person that I'll never forget.An accomplished football 🏈 player who made it to the NFL- A man who genuinely lived quite a memorable life. A man that dealt with a situation with dignity and honor and forgiveness.A friend I'll never forget - if you were in the loop back in " the day" anyone and everyone knew Bill Whitaker.If you knew him you were very lucky,God Bless 🙏🏻🌹 his family and dearest friends! In God's hands,in God's hands......

Billy was one of a kind. A truly amazing guy who never ceased to amaze. Hadn’t seen him for years, but thought about him often. I will miss him. Rest in peace Billy. 

Billy was a tremendous brother. Even though he was my younger brother Bill was always treated as an equal . A solid kid who was always loyal to his family and friends and extremly loyal to me, Billy always looked after me as if he was my big brother. Bills passion for living life to the fullest degree was his daily routine, From reading the many condolences its apparent that everyone felt the same way about brother Bill. From his earliest  friends to his mid life freinds to his late in life friends , Bill shined his light on everyone. His light was bright, at times perhaps to bright for the average man. But that is what was special about brother Bill..Quite frankly there has been no one quite like him in my life and perhaps yours. thats the legacy of Billy Whit. During his glory days ,Bill never changed his demeanor . He was always a fun humbled gentleman  that had the ability to 'at a moments notice' to  crank it up a few notches at any given time of day in order to create epic memories for all that were in his presence. The laughter that Bill created with his sense of humor would often  bring tears of laughter to our eyes.Bills perspective on all subjets of life were unique. Even when I disagreed with him ' his points of view always had merit and as we discussed further on the topic of the day we often had "breakthroughs" Bills cognitive ability  was sharp .I often had to put on my "thinking cap" in order to truly understand his point of view. I loved my brother , I continue to grieve , Bill is truly missed.Brother Bill was a legend, a giving soul that really cared about  all that were in his world.May he rest in peace. Until we meet again..Loved you brother. RIP

Was a beautiful service and celebration of Bill “ Billy” Whitaker.  I knew him as Whit from those days at the old WÖÖDSIDE Club. I can still see him sitting at the end of the bar holding court.  So ironic that Bill was the last to come into the lives of his siblings but the first to leave them. Rest In Peace Whit.     Doc. 

I remember him best as "Whit", sometimes Billy. One of my best and earliest childhood buddies.  A great guy and good friend, we shared a lot of good times. Many of those at the top of our block ,Huntington, playing touch football, watching him outrun all the older brothers of all the kids who played in those games.

Must be 15-20 years since I last saw him, still as friendly as ever and looking like he was 30!

Whit was and always will be a Rock Star.

Rest in Peace my friend and all the best to all the Whitakers

Mike Pucci

So long Billy. Knew him his whole life. No one had a quicker smile, laughed as much or could tell a story like Billy. The world is a little less bright without him. My prayers go out  to the Whitaker family. 

Rest in peace Billy Whit!! we had too many fun times. You cut a wide swath buddy!

Condolences to all the Whitaker family. Great members at Visitation where I coached Billy in BB and then taught and coached him at Rockhurst. He was a gifted athlete and a friends with everyone he met. He was the original White Shoes Billy before it was fashionable.
He had that million dollar smile just like his brother Jim who watched over him in high school. RIP Billy and keep them laughing .

I’ll never forget meeting Billy, Brother Chris and the Crew in May 1983 at the Casa Loma Apartments pool across from the Plaza, they were throwing football catch off the diving board, absolutely crazy. I had just parked my car  behind the pool lot after returning from a sales trip to Dodge City on a Friday afternoon, as my apartment was next door and carrying a 12 of Heinies. Billy immediately invited me to join them and of course have a few of my brews! What a Summer it was, Westport, Fannys 5 nights a week, Thirsty’s on Sunday, Kelly’s and Plaza…We pretty much owned KC for 2-3 years. 
There are numerous memories throughout the the decades, but that 1st encounter with Billy the Kid was so special, it is only matched with my last one at Conroys just weeks ago in late September. I entered late on a Friday afternoon after a sales trip to Iowa to get some food to go, he was at the round high top on the right of the door, by himself having a drink and working on some real estate deals…We both looked at each other and yelled our names Witt…G3! Spent 30 minutes catching up, got a Wolfman Jack and a fake drink drop (we all know that one!) from him, exchanged mobile numbers, hugged and high 5’ed each other, said we would hook up again soon and went on our ways. I was blessed to have seen him then and to have him as a close buddy, although we didn’t see each other nearly enough. Rest In Peace my Brotha, we all have so many memories and miss you so. Grady “G3” Barrett. 

Billy was the Man! He will always be" Forever Young." I coached him in grade school and with him at Visitation and loved every minute of it! Billy was the greatest coach for the Vis boys. He treated each player with love and respect and made them feel 10 feet tall! His smile and friendly way lit up every room he entered! I had the honor of being "K Man" to Billy and I will always treasure the joy and laughter he brought us all. Love to Jennifer and the Whitakers. Slainte, Billy

I have the unique pleasure of knowing all 7 of the Whitaker siblings! The Whitaker Compound on Huntington Rd was my second home growing up. I remember playing basketball in the driveway with John & Chris & Billy (who was 8 years younger) always found a way to join in! He earned the nickname “ Pit”. I saw him play at the Rock as well at MU! Never met a more fun loving guy! 

MIZ,

Mark McGilley

I only knew Bill as a customer at Parkway 600 and Michael Forbes Grille. He was always positive and fun to be around. Bill would always have some opinion about food, people and life and I always enjoyed his company. Bill was in for lunch only a couple months ago and shared a laugh and one of his fun stories. Bill I always enjoyed your great attitude and fun for life. I am blessed to have known you.

I am so sorry to about the sudden death of Bill.  Bill was my roommate one year in Green Bay when we played for the Packers.  He was a great roommate and Bill always had an awesome attitude.   Bill was the life of the party and always kept everyone laughing.  In regard to playing with the Packers, Bill played cornerback and had a nose for the football.  He was fast and was always making interceptions.  Even though I have not spoken with Bill in many years, he made an huge impression on my life. 


Godspeed to you Billy on your journey to rest with your parents in heavenly peace.   Although I did not see you often or know you as well as your dear friends from grade school and beyond, I heard many “Billy Whitaker “ tributes.   From the  Morris family, the Mendoza family and more, you were a constant in motivating, innovating and directing those you loved to greater endeavors.    You calmed me as a groomsman in my wedding and entertained me with your hilarious antics.  You were a force to be reckoned with and I enjoyed challenging you in your quick wit.    I am deeply saddened at your early departure in this life, as are many of those friends you left behind, but look forward to your party in heaven should I be blessed enough to see you and those I love on the other side.  

One of the most optimistic guys I met.  Always a funny story and a smile.  Rest in Peace Billy

Billy Whit. Billy the Kid. “Wild Bill”. Et al. 
Lotsa names but definitely one of a kind!
And Billy was great at assigning nicknames. 
Mine became Gman or just G.  
Woodside (The Flying W)
Where we’d play a little LP(Liar’s poker)
——All nite?
So many good times together!!
Never a dull moment w Billy!
And his famous:
“Hey I’ve seen you look better,
I just can’t remember when. “
Best to all the Family and friends. 
Just so hard to believe. 
Rest In Peace Brother🙏
Oh and leave a light on🍀
Your ol’ Pal—-G. 



It is really hard to believe Whit is gone.  Although I did not see him  as much anymore it is still hard to believe he is gone.  This clearly is a reminder how precious life is. I have some very fond memories of him from grade school all the way thru COMO.  I am not sure Billy had any enemies as he always brought laughter and fun to where ever I would run across him.  I was a St. Peter’s kid and even though he was a Visitation kid, EVERYONE knew who he was.  He had more athletic ability in his little finger than most of us do in our entire body.  I first met him @ Ward Parkway pool and this guy would put on a show, off of the high dive.  I don’t care if it was a watermelon, a suicide or a cowboy he liked to perform and perform he did @ Mizzou like the game he had against San Diego State when he had 3 picks.  I felt fortunate to know him.  May God Bless his family ~ RIP  Cat

Zaven Yaralian

Witts College Coach.

Billy, rest in peace. You were the bright light in our meetings. I truly looked forward to our meetings and practices with you. Somehow you always made it fun or made fun of someone including me. I loved coaching you and being involved with the best secondary I ever had in my coaching career. Between you, Eric Wright, Johnny Poe, Kevin Potter. This was a dream team. Loved all of you and the rest of the great tiger team of 1980. Rest in peace

First, my condolences to Jennifer, Billy's family, his other friends, his teammates, and now his football players/students. There's no way to replace the magic that happened when Billy walked into a room. He was certainly bigger than life. I met him in high school at Rockhurst.  For a time, I was closer to his brother Chris, and later did business with John and Jim. When Billy returned to Kansas City, after playing for the Cardinals, he and Clay Smith asked me to be their roommate in Prairie Village. There, I got to know Billy pretty well and I stayed friends with him. Recently, I had a beer with him and went to his house for three hours of laughter. He was still clowning around and as fun to be with, as ever before. I left there with a smile on my face that brings a smile to my face, now. I think that's how most of us feel. He blessed us plenty, with his enormous heart, and now it's his turn in Heaven. God Bless you, Billy! 

Played with Billy in Green Bay.  Always fun to be with Billy. Great memories! Love you Billy!

Growing up in the Vis neighborhood Billy was like a superhero to us young football players, the guy was a legend. He was great friends with my older brother but as we all got older Whit always had a smile , a handshake, a Hi Bobby and usually a fun story or antidote. Whit is one of those guys you will never forget, peace my brother.

It was my privilege to know and appreciate the one and only Billy Whitaker. I was a teacher and coach at Rockhurst HS and Bllly was very athletic, funny, super competitive and had a contagious personality and was a leader. He was a sophomore on the 1975 state championship track team and was a joy to coach. He kept everyone loose and ready to compete. I was so proud of Billy as he excelled in football at MU and the NFL. He certainly used his God given talent to the max. Teammates loved him and were inspired to do their best. I would not see Billy very often but he would always greet me with a hug and smile which I always cherished. May the Lord always bless the entire Whitaker and Gordon families and thank you for sharing the one and only Billy loved by all. 

I am very saddened to learn of Bill’s death.  In my 7th grade year, our family moved in across the street from the Whitakers. From then on Ward Parkway became our football stadium after school. Our sandlot games on the median were the most memorable and competitive games of my youth. And of course whose intensity and competitiveness led the way? Mr. Whitaker of course.  Half the people on our block went to Visitation and the other half went to Bingham Jr. High and Southwest.  When football season was over it was Bill’s driveway for basketball. That is, when Chris wasn’t shooting.  I wish that I would have had the opportunity to follow his career as a photojournalist. I just wasn’t assigned to any of his games in Columbia, nor did I get to cover any Packer games. I will always cherish those games and having Bill as my neighbor.  Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. God Bless all the Whitakers and friends of Bill.

Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. I’m saddened by the news of the loss of Billy Whit. He was a larger than figure in my memory from day one of meeting him my freshman year at Mizzou. Everyone was welcomed into Whit’s circle and that meant a lot to me as newbie on the team, because he wanted people to be connected. I pray for comfort for the family during this time of sadness. 
Tracey Mack

I was so shocked to hear of Bill’s death. Some people seem invincible and Billy was one of those guys who had that envious and larger than life personality. I was a year older and from St. Elizabeth and myself and all the other Catholic girls had the habit of scoping out the guys from the area Catholic schools. We couldn’t help noticing them at all the sporting events, especially the football games at Rockhurst. But Billy had a fan club all his own.
My condolences to his family and all those he touched. I know he will be missed.

So many great memories of time spent with Whit. He could light up a room with his dynamic personality. My sincere condolences to the Whitaker & Gordon family. RIP Billy.🙏

Oh, those Billy Whitaker smiles! Billy and his family lived on Huntington Road down the street from the Gordons. After the passing of Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Gordon, Libby and Norman married, and Billy became my stepbrother. Norman and Libby were so proud of Billy especially when he earned the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. His charm, charisma, and impishness magnetically drew us to him. 
Billy, I thank you for the gift of your smiles. 
Love ya, John Gordon 


Billy Whit was always the life of the party. Like all of the Whitaker brothers, he was a tremendous athlete and most of it came naturally to him. He had a charismatic personality (again like all of the Whitaker family) and never knew a stranger. He made everyone around him feel important.   He was a year behind me but i always had a strong respect for him. as an athlete and a friend  I got to know him in grade school and enjoyed watching his success at Rockhurst, in Columbia and in the NFL.   Little known story but KC Chief legend Jan Stenerud  really looked out for Billy when he was up in Green Bay playing for the Packers with Jan.  Billy, you were a great guy and will be missed by all!  

I first met Billy in the halls of Tiger Towers in the fall of 78. He a star from Rockhurst and me a Northeast hot shot. We became fast friends. Both of us pledged at Lamda Chi fraternity. I was a legacy and Billy was a legend. We spent time hanging around the halls of the Tower with Kellen Winslow and at the frat house with sorority girls.
Billy's football career and the team was awesome in 78. Bill ran back punts, kickoffs and was a DB.
We partied like rock stars.
Back in KC  we saw each other often at discos and house parties. What a great guy. Always a smile on his face and that big welcoming HEY JOHNNY D.
I'll miss him but will never forget the times in Columbia in 78. 
God Bless You Billy. See you on the other side.
Johnny D.

Will Miss You Buddy.  You Always Put a Big Smile on my face.
Loved watching you play ball in the Black & Gold !
RIP
Jim McGinness 

So sad to hear this. Seems like  just yesterday Whit was sitting behind me in 1975 at pre summer practice marathon
lectures  by our football coach. We all just tried to stay awake!   Whit was talented, fast and colorful.  I had not seen him in decades… last at some commercial real  estate reception downtown where he was high steppin as ever.   I’ll say a prayer my brothers give him a good reception in heaven.  On behalf of all the Chartrands, our condolences to all Whit’s family and friends. 

I am so saddened at the news of Bill's death.  My deepest love, thoughts and prayers go out to all the Whitaker family.    DeAnna  

OBITUARY

William Andrew Whitaker

January 18, 1959 – October 2, 2022

McGilley State Line Chapel

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