William McKenzie Whittaker Jr

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) William McKenzie Whittaker, Jr. of the Florida Air National Guard, 125th Fighter Wing passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the age of 67, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Whittaker was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on August 8, 1947; his family moved to Jacksonville in 1949. Mr. Whittaker was predeceased by his father, Brigadier General, (Ret.) William McKenzie Whittaker. He is survived by his wife of over 45 years, Susan Entwistle Whittaker.

Lieutenant Colonel Whittaker had a distinguished career at the Florida Air National Guard, 125th Fighter Wing, serving for over thirty years. He was a member of San Jose Episcopal Church and was graduated from Florida Junior College. Mr. Whittaker was a 32nd Degree Mason, Barnett Lodge and a Morocco Temple Shriner. He volunteered in numerous charitable organizations including the Greater Jacksonville Open and the Tournament Players Championship. He served as Chairman of the Greater Jacksonville King Fish Tournament in 2000 and was an emeritus member of the Board of Directors.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Evelyn Morgan Whittaker, son, Michael (Jessica), daughter, Ashley (Andrew Jones), and granddaughter, Olivia Grace Swim. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Peggy Sain (Roger), and brother, Steven, (Janet), as well as brothers-in-law Gary Entwistle and Richard Entwistle and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23rd at the Hardage-Giddens, Hendricks Chapel. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24th at San Jose Episcopal Church, with internment immediately following in Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to San Jose Episcopal Church, Leukemia Lymphoma Society (Multiple Myeloma) or Patient Assistance Foundation of Cancer Specialists of North Florida.