Joseph Savage WHITMAN

Joseph Whitman, age 64, passed away on May 16th. Joe began bringing smiles to all around him on June 12, 1958, in McCall, ID., where he was born to Leroy and Emily. He is survived by his four siblings; Sue, Bill, Jack, and Tobi; who are left with memories of outdoor adventures, practical jokes, and thoughtful gestures. Through his young adult years, he continued to bring smiles and laughter to friends, coworkers, and even strangers who picked him up while hitchhiking. In 1987 he married the woman he'd forever refer to as his best friend and "his baby", Diana Whitman. They loved each other so very much. He spent his remaining years loving, protecting, nurturing, and enjoying his wife while living in Eastern Washington.

He is also survived by three daughters; LaLainya, Kelsey, and Nicki; with whom he shared his love, patience, compassion, laughter, and endless stories. As the "fish tales" grew, so did the family. Over the years, Joe gained two sons-in-law, Donovan and Brian; and seven grandchildren; Gaia, Alice, Tucker, Emily, Liam, Piper, and Coralee. They were thrilled when Papa Joe retired in 2020 after 38 years in the phone industry since this new season of life brought the whole family the gift of more time with Papa Joe. Whether out fishing, rafting, camping, or barbecuing in the backyard, the whole family was blessed with his stories, hugs, and laughter. The family is grieving the loss of this incredible man and the opportunity to make more memories together. They hold tightly to the memories they have and choose to never forget the shimmer in his eyes, contagious smile, and laughter that carried him through his life. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, and because of this, everyone has their own Joe story. Opportunities to gather, share memories, and keep spreading his joy will be coming later in the summer. If you'd like to be informed when details are available, please contact LaLainya, at lainyalady@hotmail.com.