On February 11, 2025 Oscar “Bill” William Whitaker Jr. of Raytown passed away peacefully at the age 91 in Kansas City, Missouri. Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was loved by so many friends and family. Bill was born in Cotter, Arkansas on December 1, 1933 to Oscar William Whitaker Sr. and Dixie (Medley) Whitaker and had one brother, Jay Lynn Whitaker. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norma (Mein) Whitaker whom he married on May 20, 1961.

He worked for 45 years at the Missouri Pacific, then the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a machinist where he was the treasurer of his local Union. He was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church where he was a part time custodian for 18 years. Bill was strong supporter of the Lutheran High School of Kansas City where he would work around the school while he was waiting for his children to finish their extracurricular activities. He was also a founding member of the Lutheran High School Auxiliary. He enjoyed spending time working in his garden where he grew vegetables for his family. Once Bill retired he and his wife became world travelers, going to Japan, China, Russia, much of the European Union as well as South America, saw the Polar Bears in Churchill, Canada and loved cruising. 

He is survived by his two daughters: Cynthia Bearden and her husband Mark and Rhonda Schulte and her husband Jim along with his grandchildren Kenneth Fritz, Faith Fritz, Chris Bishop and his wife Catie, Kayla Schulte, James Schulte, niece Becky Whitaker and her wife Ann Taylor and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his infant son David Wayne Whitaker, brother Jay Lynn Whitaker and wife Carol Whitaker, grandson William Dale Bishop and nephew Mark Whitaker. 

Bill will be cremated and a graveside service in Lockwood, Missouri will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Lutheran High School of Kansas City.