Arline Grace Whitley

Arline Grace Fetzer Whitley, 83, passed away May 10, 2014, in Austin, Texas. She was born June 12, 1930, in Burlington, Vermont, the only child of Chief Warrant Officer Bert D. and Irene P. Fetzer. Growing up an Army brat, Arline lived in numerous places, including Alaska and the Philippines, from which her family was evacuated just before World War II. She was a cheerleader at the University of Tampa from 1948-1950, was active in her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha and graduated from the University of Florida in 1952 with a BA in Education. As a young woman, Arline taught school at General Clarence Tinker Elementary School on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where she met and married the love of her life, Colonel George Allen Whitley, on September 13, 1953. Arline’s adventure-filled life as an Air Force officer’s wife took her to far flung places like Stockholm, Sweden and Bangkok, Thailand, as well as high and low spots on military bases across the United States. She moved more than 40 times throughout her life. Arline had a deep love for the Florida Gulf Coast, and eventually returned to Tampa in 1975. As part of her legacy, she leaves behind a second home overlooking the sparkling waters and white sands of Madeira Beach, Florida. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 45 years, George. Arline is survived by her only son, George Allen Whitley, Jr. and his wife Kathi, as well as granddaughters Kara Morgan Whitley of Atlanta, Georgia, and Emma Grace Whitley, currently residing in Lubbock, Texas. The family wishes to thank all the staff members and caregivers at the Summit of Westlake Hills in Austin, Texas, for their care and attention during Arline’s brief stay. They also extend a special thank you to all those who loved and cared for Arline at the Grand Court in Tampa, Florida. Graveside services for Arline will be held at Garden of Memories (Myrtle Hill) in Tampa at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Air Force Aid Society, http://www.afas.org/home.