William Arthur Whaley

Obituary William Arthur Whaley March 31, 1909 - August 15, 2009William Arthur Whaley passed away on August 15, 2009 at age 100. He was born March 31, 1909 in Blount County Tennessee in the Great Smokey Mountains near the town of Gatlinburg. One of ten children of John N. and Nancy C. Whaley, his family moved often and lived in several towns in eastern Tennessee, including Athens, Sevierville, Tellico Plains and Harriman. In 1931 he moved to High Point, NC and worked in the textile mills where he met his future wife, Edith Payne. Married in Danville, Virginia in 1935, Arthur and Edith were loving partners for seventy two years until beloved Edith passed away in 2007.In addition to his parents Mr. Whaley was predeceased by his brothers: James Oscarhis twin, Kimsey Elmer, George Vernie, Cam David, and Wesley Kenneth; and his sisters: Ezalee Campbell, Zenia Gooch, Corah Whaley, and Clara Griffin. Mr. Whaley was also predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Beatrice Ann Ullom Whaley. Surviving are his son, John Lewis Whaley of Wilmington, NC and three grandchildren: John L. Whaley Jr., Suzanne E. Whaley, and Christopher N. Whaley; and three great-grandchildren: McKenna Madeline Whaley, John L. Whaley III, and Rachel W. Merrifield, all of Fairfax, Virginia.During World War II Arthur worked at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, VA , helping repair war damaged planes. Returning to High Point in 1946 he was employed by Lindale Dairy later United Dairy Farms until he retired in 1976. On retiring Mr. Whaley enjoyed fishing on the coast of North Carolina with his brother-in-law, David Payne. He also was a huge fan of High Point Central and High Point Andrews High School football and attended many games with his dear friend, Hayden Ratledge. The Carolina Tar Heels and Wake Forest Demon Deacons were his favorite basketball teams and the Philadelphia Phillies were his favorite baseball team.Mr. Whaley was an active member of Green Street Baptist Church for 69 years and held many leadership assignments in the church, including Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Deacon, Chairman of the Board of Deacons and church trustee. Mr. Whaley was among the first group of elder Deacons who were given the honorary title, Deacon For Life. During his long membership in Green Street Baptist Church, he was proud to have founded two Sunday School missions in High Point, under sponsorship of the Green St. Church; one of the missions later became an independent church. Arthur Whaley was a devout Christian and, to those who knew him, a self-taught scholar of the Bible. After he retired, when people asked him what he did, he usually replied, "" I am a Bible teacher."" Over the years, his study of the Bible and its references enriched his life and gave him comfort. In later life when sleep was not easy, he would often recite long Scripture passages from memory until he fell asleep.One of his most memorable experiences was being selected ""First Runner-up in the State, for North Carolina Volunteer of the Year in 2003"". This honor was based on his service as a Bible teacher at the Evergreen Nursing Home in High Point where he taught weekly classes for ten years. He was never so happy as when he was serving his Lord, Jesus Christ, or enjoying the fellowship of the men in his Sunday School Class and friends at the Green Street Baptist Church. The Whaley family wishes to express sincere thanks to the staff of Azalea Gardens and Liberty Commons Nursing Home in Wilmington, NC for the love and care given to Mr. Whaley during his last years.Mr. Whaley will be buried alongside his wife, Edith, at the Sea Lawn Cemetery in Hampstead, NC on August 19th. Gifts in memory of Arthur Whaley may be made to the Green Street Baptist Church, High Point, NC or any charity of ones choosing.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.comA Market Street Chapel ServiceFor publication on Wednesday, August 19, 2009