Whitfield was born in Los Angeles, California. He is preceded in death by mother and father, Minnie Lee, and Whitfield Killian Sr., grandmother, Maebell Gill, Aunt Elizabeth Mays nephew Mario Perry. Whitfield is survived by 4 siblings, Marilyn Kay Boyd, Denton, TX, Carolyn Elizabeth Killian, Lancaster, CA, Sarolyn (Dereke) Killian Mims, Carrollton, TX, and younger brother Patrick Turnipseed of Houston, TX
Nieces include Lula Kay (Edwards), Tina Sherice, Yolanda Marie. Tiffany Denise Turnipseed and Jeannette (McGee) Turnipseed, daughter of Patrick.
Nephews include John Newman, David Newman, Benjamin Marshall, Merritt Turnipseed, Duane Gibson, Dereke Mims Jr., and a host of great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Whitfield, aka Meatball, Big Fun, Ball, Getti, Meater, lived life to the fullest. He lost his parents early in life, mother at age 6, father at 14, but God was present and watched over him. He was blessed with a strong, caring, praying family. His sister Marilyn, at age 25, raised her 3 younger siblings along with her own 5 kids. As a young teen, the 3 siblings moved to Houston with Grandmother, Aunt Bobbie (Clara), Uncle Eugene Morris and family of seven, and then to Clovis New Mexico, where generations of the family resided. As an adult, Whitfield returned to California where he became a father of Whitely Dianne, and Shawn Patrick Killian. He held various jobs throughout his life but becoming a Truck Driver was his dream. He was diagnosed with Diabetes early 2000's. End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) was his challenge and ended his life, November, 8th, 2020. May he Rest in Peace.
Special acknowledgement to God and family, Marilyn Boyd (sister) and husband David, Maebell Gill (grandmother), Clara Morris (aunt) and family, and Wiley Gill (uncle) for giving us, Sarolyn, Whitfield and Patrick, a normal life surrounded by love, the guidance of Jesus Christ and the strength to deal with this world. We are so blessed and grateful for the continued love, and prayers of the family. Many thanks to our parents, and extended families of Goldie Ross, Katherine Washington, Joyce Mason, Lee Marion Gill, Ida Lou Gill and a host of others that touched our lives before going home to the Lord.
Dear Whitfield,
You were born my Uncle, raised as my Brother and educated as my Classmate, and my partner in crime. What a joy to experience all of these things with you. You lived your best life how you saw fit, while always respecting our family values. Oh...how I miss you dearly….your smile, your strong spirit, your tall tales, your love of our family and your willingness to give your last two dollars… The Killian's, Gill's and the Turnipseed families will keep you in our hearts and spirits forevermore! Love Kay
We know that you are smiling down on us from heaven, finally reunited with your parents, and we hear you saying:
“I'm good Y'all!!"
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