- Date Of Birth: June 8, 1929
- Date Of Death: October 8, 2020
- State: Kentucky
Howard Whitley, age 91, of Hungry Hollow Road, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2020, at St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead.
Born June 8, 1929, in Liberty, Indiana, he was the son of the late Clay Henry Whitley and Gladys Pope Whitley Shepherd. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, William “Bill” Whitley, and three very close friends, Bob Rambo, C. B. Wolf, and Bobby Warring.
Howard is survived by his wife, Diane Sorrell Whitley, whom he wed July 7, 1978; two daughters, Leah Whitley and Lacey (and Derek) Howard; and one grandson, Cooper Manuel Howard, who is a living miracle and Papaw’s favorite boy, all of Morehead.
Other survivors include one brother, David Whitley of Lexington, Kentucky, and four sisters, Dorothy Whitley of Largo, Florida, Peggie Rutledge and Bonnie Kenley, both of Georgetown, Kentucky, and Judy Leitner of Stamping Ground, Kentucky.
Howard graduated from Garth High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War as a radio operator on a B-29 Bomber. He was a proud veteran. Howard enjoyed reading, collecting coins, fishing, and watching U.K. basketball and football. Howard was an animal lover and especially enjoyed bird watching and his cats—Smokey and Ghost. A passionate political follower, he enjoyed discussing politics with anyone who would listen, as long as they were on his side. Howard cherished his family and many favorite memories were made during family vacations.
