W.R. "Whitey" Whitehead

Willie Ray (W.R.) "Whitey" Whitehead, of Owenton, Kentucky died Sunday, January 31, 2009 in Owenton Manor of natural causes. Born in Brodhead, Kentucky (Rockcastle County) on October 9, 1922, to Murphy and Grace Whitehead, Whitey was a beloved family member and a pillar of his community. Whitey served in World War II as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945 before returning to Kentucky and soon thereafter, marrying Betty Gowin in 1946. Whitey joined the Lerman's department store organization in the late 1940's which later brought him to Owenton to work as Manager until his retirement in the mid 1980's. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Lodge 128 and served in all positions of the organization with the last being Secretary. Connected to the Masonic organization, Whitey was also a Scottish Rite and Oleika Shriner. He was an active member of the Owenton Lions Club, the American Legion and served on the Board of Directors for the Three Rivers District Health Department. He was honored as a Kentucky Colonel. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Owenton serving on various committees and was instrumental in the planning, coordination and building of the Family Life Center located within the church. Whitey is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty, his daughter Sheryl Asgari and her husband Vadollah (Louisville KV) and her daughters Jessica (AIi) and Sara; his son Donald Whitehead and wife Chris (Cincinnati OH) and his two sons Matthew (Lindsey) and Daniel; and his daughter Marcia McDowell (Biloxi MS) and her two sons Tony (Elizabeth) and Michael. Whitey is also survived by his great¬ grandchildren Ameen and Sureen Faraj, Trenton Whitehead, and Abigail McDowell, his brother Samuel Whitehead and brother-in-law Dale Bray along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, 4-8pm, February 3rd, at McDonald and New Funeral Home, 202 N Main Street in Owenton with funeral services at 1pm Thursday. Burial will be at the Owenton Cemetery. Memorials should be sent to First Baptist Church of Owenton (attn: Family Life Center), 213 N Main Street, Owenton, Kentucky 40359 or The Children's Fund, 4825 Hwy 127N, Owenton, Kentucky 40359.