William "Bill" Whaley, 91, died at Good Shepherd Hospice House March 4, 2023. Services will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions have been designated to Junction City Animal Shelter.
Bill was born February 3, 1932, in Sawyer, KS, to Herbert and Fern (Humble) Whaley. He graduated from Sawyer High School. Bill married Rozella (Lees) on August 13, 1954, in Raton, NM, and later lived in Pratt, KS, where he worked at Woolwines Auto Supply. They moved to Junction City in 1967 where he worked as a machinist for Milleson's Auto Supply; he retired in 1997. When Bill was younger, he was an avid hunter, as well as a collector of coins and sports cards. He enjoyed attending his boys' and grandchildren's sporting events over the years, and spending his Saturday afternoons with Neil and the guys at Street Rods.
Bill is survived by his three sons: Michael W. (Roxanne) Whaley of Chapman, Mark A. (Belle) Whaley of Junction City and Mitch D. Whaley of Junction City; five grandchildren: Aaron (Rachel), Beth (Nathan) Roberts, Kellen, Grant and Cooper; and six great-grandchildren: Addox, Everly, Oakley, Liam, Everett and Beaux. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Whaley, of Pratt, KS. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Rozella, on August 4, 2003, and his sister, Betty Copenhaver.