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Charlevoix High School

Charlevoix, Michigan

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Edward Ray Whitley Obituary (1949 - 2024)

Graduation Year Class of 1969
Date of Birth Sep 23, 1949
Date of Passing Feb 17, 2024
About Edward Whitley age 74 passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2024, in his Florida home he shared with his wife and best friend, Cindy (Ager) Whitley.

Born September 23 1949 to James and Bessie Whitley, Ed lived his light-hearted youth in Charlevoix, Mi with his 9 siblings, Jimmy, John, Mike, Carl, Sally, Faye, Mary, Kathy and Nancy. Along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends nearby. He met the love of his life, Cindy and they married in 1977. He served in the Navy from 1969-1973 on the USS Enterprise. He served and was the superintendent for the electric and water dept. for the city of Charlevoix for 30 years. After retiring from the city he worked with one of his best friends (Kevin) with Swanson K&D. Ed and Cindy spent the winters in Tavares, Fl at Imperial Terrace West. He had a special bond with many of the residents, he loved hanging out with friends and enjoyed doing many projects, especially with his friend Clarence. His three children, Jamie, Kevin and his daughter in-law Lauren meant the world to him and the unwavering bond and friendship he created with them exemplifies what it means to be a father who truly gave his children everything they could have ever needed.

When Kevin and his wife Lauren (Moore) Whitley had their two sons, Kroix 10 and Ryker 7 , Ed became their beloved PAPA, a role he was born for and loved more than he could ever possibly imagine. He was as lucky to have his grandsons as they were to have him and they quickly became inseparable best friends.

Anyone who knew Ed knew that he was fueled by the joy he felt from helping and enjoying time with his family and close friends. Whenever someone needed him, Ed would show up with just the right tool, joke, or quiet smile for the occasion. He had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, and one of the hardest working men there ever was. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences and could build or fix anything.

He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them- and if you knew him, you knew it. Throughout his life, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love for those close and far away. He will be missed dearly.

In typical Ed fashion, there are no services planned. A celebration of life will occur with details to be determined and we look forward to sharing special memories about our favorite guy.
Edward Ray Whitley