William Leon Whitehead Jr.

February 11, 1951 – May 12, 2025

William Leon Whitehead Jr., of Katy, Texas, passed away on May 12, 2025. He was born on February 11, 1951, in Crawford, Mississippi, to William Leon Whitehead Sr. and Paz Aimee Vasquez Guerra. William spent his early childhood in Puerto Rico before relocating to Brooksville, Mississippi, and later to Columbus. He attended Franklin Academy and Joe Cook Junior High and graduated from Stephen D. Lee High School in 1970.

That same year, William married Denise Brumett and soon after enlisted in the United States Army. While stationed in Germany, they welcomed their daughter, Schatzi Renee Collier, on September 19, 1972, in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany. In 1976, William met his future wife, Mary Louise Froman, with whom he had his son, William Leon Whitehead III, born on Christmas Day. They later welcomed a daughter, Whitney Michelle Whitehead. In 1983, William and his family moved to Texas to build a new future together. He pursued vocational training in air conditioning and electrical work and, for a time, owned and operated Bob’s Restaurant and Bar in Columbus, Mississippi.

William had a big heart and was deeply devoted to his children. He is survived by his daughter Schatzi Renee Collier, his son William Leon Whitehead III, his daughter Whitney Michelle Whitehead, his granddaughter Amber Korene Hankins, and his grandson Parker Kole Whitehead. He is also survived by his brother Walter Elias Whitehead and his sister Annie Aurelia Richerson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Louise Whitehead, his parents, and many dear friends.

He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Columbus and took great joy in playing softball, coaching his children’s sports teams, and teaching his son archery, which led them to compete across Texas. William loved fishing in both Mississippi and Texas, playing cards with friends, and relaxing with classic westerns and reruns of The Andy Griffith Show and Two and a Half Men. His memory lives on through the many lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.