William “David” Whiteman

William “David” Whiteman left this earthly world to stand in the presence of our Lord on January 6, 2023, at Sherman Hospice Home, Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona. David was born on March 9, 1947, to William “Bill” Paxton and Margaret Elizabeth (Youngblood) Whiteman in Cincinnati, Ohio. David grew up in Greenfield, Indiana, and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1965. In 1976 he graduated from Central Missouri State University with a BS in Criminal Justice Administration. David served with the US Army from 1966-68 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as a military police officer. He became a disabled veteran after a sport parachute jump accident there. In 1968 he began his service as a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer for 26 years. He later worked for Overland Solutions as an elite quality assurance reviewer for 25 years. Away from work he volunteered for the Lee’s Summit Underwater Recovery Unit and worked off duty for ten years for the Royals in right field General Admission. He was president of the Willow Farm HOA in New Mark for over ten years. David was a private pilot and enjoyed flying his Comanche 250 plane. He also was active in Shotokan Karate.

David married Marla Watts Bennett on June 1, 1984, in Blue Springs, Missouri. David and Marla spent many years in their RV exploring the country. In 2014 David and Marla moved to Sun City Festival in the Phoenix area where they made many new friends and enjoyed many new activities. David was president of the RV club at SCF. In February 2018, David was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and began his five-year battle with cancer. David enjoyed playing softball and golf even until shortly before his death. David and Marla were members of Pleasant Valley Church in Kansas City and Palmcroft Church in Phoenix.

David leaves behind his wife of 38 years Marla, daughter Rachel Rodenberg (Darin), stepdaughters Temple Parish (Brad) and Gretchen Bennett, grandchildren William Grady Whiteman (Adrienne) and Skye Smith, brother Jonathan Whiteman (Nancy) as well as many other family members and cherished friends. Most importantly, he leaves behind a legacy of the Fruits of the Spirit based on his belief in Jesus Christ. His patience, love and commitment to God, family and friends will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of his life was held on March 4, 2023, at Palmcroft Church. Memorial contributions can still be made in his honor to the Mayo Clinic or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

The following was the last verse David posted. These are the words of Jesus, our Savior. John 14:27 KJV. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Mayo Donations

https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

https://give.themmrf.org/give/278264/?_ga=2.4803827.158167781.1675889646-1804703392.1675889646#!/donation/checkout