William T. Whitley

SHAMOKIN — William T. Whitley, 93, of 155 E. Dewart St., died at 4:30 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2008, at Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

He was married to the former Jane Yeager on Aug. 23, 1942, in the Mount Zion Welsh Congregational Church, Shamokin, by the Rev. Josephine B. Richards. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 23, 2007.

Born in Salisbury, N.C., on July 10, 1914, he was the son of the late Frank and Ruth May (Crabtree) Whitley. Mr. Whitley graduated from West Chester State Teachers College with a degree in music.

After college, he served as pianist for the Jack Denny Orchestra. He later served with Ed Hemp of Philadelphia, as arranger for orchestras launched by Hemp.

He became band director at Derry Township High School until he joined the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Continuing his work as a pianist and arranger, Whitley was in charge of GI orchestras, dance bands and music groups for shows during his three years of service. Upon his return, he and his wife opened the Camera & Music Mart in 1947 and continued in business until 1981.

He served on the Shamokin Housing Authority. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Choraliers and the Shamokin Valley Country Club. He was also a member of Our Band and directed the band for a short time. He loved playing golf and bridge, and was a member of Mount Zion Welsh Congregational Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Nancy Clark and husband Mark, of Reston, Va.; a son, Tom Whitley and wife Cathy, of Los Angeles, Calif.; a daughter, Gail Whitley, of Shamokin, and seven grandchildren, Andrea and Lindsey Clark, Sean and Tracy Whitley, Michael, Julian and Danielle Whitley.



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WHITLEY — William T. Whitley, 93, of 155 E. Dewart St., Shamokin. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Farrow Funeral Home, 240 W. Chestnut Street, Shamokin, with the Rev. Ray Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington. Donations may be made to the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library, 210 E. Independence Street, Shamokin, 17872, or to the donor's favorite charity.