If only there were enough words to fully grasp the depth of wisdom, knowledge, strength of character, and sincerely fun-loving nature of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Herschell Ray Whitley, but sadly the universe is far too small to contain them, as he was literally larger than life.
He was born to James Hirshel Whitley and Lavenna Leona (Lindsey) Whitley on 9 April 1931, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The Whitley’s already had one daughter, Cleo Clementine
The Whitley’s already had one daughter, Cleo Clementine when little Herschell Ray came along.
As a boy, he loved to play under the viaduct with his cousin, Dick Cross. He was always mechanically inclined as his father owned and operated a well-known garage, the Whitley garage.
There he would learn to tinker and build, and his ability to take a piece of junk and turn it into something worthwhile remained uncanny, even to his final months.
Always building, and always giving, he was a founding member of the National M (Sam, this name will be on the green cap I brought in, if you don’t mind adding it), as well as Lifetime Member of NRA, Wounded Warriors, Republican Party, and countless other organizations, faithfully supporting all. During his years at Ardmore High School, he was the Captain of the AHS band, and
During his years at Ardmore High School, he was the Captain of the AHS band, and played the trumpet like a champ. He could still play that trumpet until just a few years ago.
One day on a band trip in which the pep girls were riding on the bus with them, he sat behind a beautiful girl named Earlene, and to catch her attention, he poured salt in her hair after they had stopped for a bite to eat.
Best move he ever made! Earlene Ward, after chewing him out about the salt, became his girlfriend, and they decided to elope to Gainesville 2 years later, when she was 14 and he was 16, on 2 November 1949.
It was definitely a match made in Heaven, as they were blessed with 71 years, before she passed from this life on 8 January 2021.
In 1958, Herschell enlisted in the Army, telling the recruiter that he was 18 instead of 17, so he could go to Korea. His first child, Karen Sue Whitley, was born while he was In Japan awaiting orders.
Thankfully, by the time he received the orders, the Korean Conflict had been settled, so he was brought back to the States to joyfully see the love of his life and their beautiful baby girl.
There wasn’t a time that you wouldn’t find Herschell having a cup of the blackest coffee he could get, or tinkering and building wooden toys for his grandkids, birdhouses and feeders for anyone that might enjoy one, as well as fully remodeling, redesigning, and adding more than double to the size the tiny house they bought as a fixer-upper in 1956.
He and Earlene moved into a little cottage behind his parents home, until their 2nd child came along, Beth Ann Whitley, in 1957. It was at her 6=month birthday, the entire family moved into the home he resided in until his death, at 1323 Hargrove Street, Ardmore.
He worked as a mechanic and an electrician during those early years, thereby solidifying more of his ability to fix or build anything. Upon his return from Japan, he enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard, where he
Upon his return from Japan, he enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard, where he became known as ‘Sarge’, and has been the one to enlist so many men, the full number unknown.
He received the Legion of Merit (highest award given for peace time serve); Meritorious Services Medal; Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal 5th award; Army of Occupation Medal – Japan; National Defense Service Medal 2nd award. Because of his exceptional devotion and dedication to the Oklahoma Army National Guard and Troop Command, Headquarters State Area Command (STARC), a Troop Command award was created in his honor. The name of the award is Troop Command CW4 Herschell R. Whitley Personnel Administration Award of Excellence. Plus numerous other decorations and awards.
Herschell and Earlene were both givers in the community, whether it be serving 12 years in a row as PTA parents because the 2 girls were exactly 6 years apart in age, or as a Boy Scout Master even though he did not have any sons. He designed and built boxcar racers for all the boys, and of course his youngest had to have one, as well.
They also served many times as the President of the Bowling Association, and anything to do with the National Guard, you could find Earlene or Herschell or both. He could literally build anything, including detailed replicas of German clocks, furni
He could literally build anything, including detailed replicas of German clocks, furniture, and could even bake replicas of his beloved mother’s pies. Most were given away, but the family definitely enjoyed their fair share of those pies.
His sister, Cleo Clementine died at age 19 during childbirth, and his younger sister, Gaylene Churchwell passed in her easy chair at the young age of 62.
Life was never dull in the Whitley household, with huge gatherings for the family Christmases. Christmas Eve was an open door to all, with the hottest chili you could imagine. All relatives, including Earlene’s Brother, Robert Ward and his wife Janet, her Sister, Doris Ryan and her husband, Buddy Ryan, and Herschell’s sister, Gaylene and her husband Bob. Everyone’s kids were there, including Robert & Jan’s kids, Colleen, Steven, and Robert, Doris & Buddy Ryan’s boys, Jim, Rex and Rob, and both Herschell and Earlene’s parents, ‘Papaw & Granny’ and Bamma aka Bema Ward.
The home would be filled with kids, laughter, tons of presents, and one year there were so many people there that when the doorbell rang and a man no one recognized came in and joined the chili-eating and sweets, we all finally recognized that none of us knew him after he left.
Herschell had a knack for teaching you how to figure out something on your own, and he carried that from teaching Karen and Beth Ann to ride a bicycle by putting them on it and saying, ‘figure it out’, to carrying that same theme into the 100’s if not 1,000’s of men’s lives he touched within the realm of his 37 years and 15 days of service to them and this great nation.
He was not a church-going man, but he loved listening to Dr. Alton Fannin with First Baptist Church, Ardmore, and did so until he passed.
Herschell was a man of his word, and operated fully in the gifts of the Spirit in his daily life. He was kind, gentle, strong, longsuffering, and the most faithful man to his beloved wife, kids, and friends, than many of us will ever have the chance to know in our own lives. Truly he was blessed, and most certainly his life was a blessing to countless others. There
Truly he was blessed, and most certainly his life was a blessing to countless others. There is no doubt, he heard the words, “ Well done” when he arrived into the arms of our Lord.
We will all miss him, but look forward to that day when we will be together as one with him upon the return of our Lord.
Rest well, faithful gentle giant Warrior Whitley. Well done, indeed.
Survivors include his daughter, Beth McCune and husband David; grandchildren, Jason Wood and fiance’ Desire Anderson, David Wood and wife Teresa, Robert Wood and wife Hollie, Sommer Maytubby and fiance’ Brent Hackney, Summer Richardson, Adam Crabtree and wife Kelly, Luke Crabtree, Jonathan McCune, Nicola Galdbraith and Karen Briscoe; 18 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren; two nieces, Marcia Churchwell Yeary and Colleen Ward; five nephews, Rex Ryan and wife Micki and Rob Ryan, Bobby Churchwell, Steven Ward and Robert Ward. Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Earlene; daughter, Karen Sue Wood; nephew, James David Ryan III.
Funeral services for Herschell Ray Whitley, 91, will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022 in the Centennial Chapel of Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m.
Honorary bearers will be: Jason Michael Wood, David Aaron Wood, Robert Paul Wood, Adam Ward Crabtree, Luke Aaron Crabtree, Col. Arnold Muncrief, Col. Charlie Rutledge, Lt. Col. Rex Rutledge, CSM Jerry Goode, CW2 James Matlack, Lt. Col. Beau Hendricks, HM2 “FMF” Dylan T. Neher, and Michael Carr.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home & Crematory
