William "Bill" Melvin Whitener

M/Sgt William M. Whitener, Ret. USAF, Vietnam Veteran William "Bill" Whitener, age 75, went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2014. He was born in Maiden, NC and grew up in the Methodist Children's Home in Winston-Salem, NC. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years Carolyn, children Kathy Spinella and husband Phil of Homestead, Kim Givens and husband Phil of Loxahatchee, William "Mike" Whitener and wife Linda of Mansfield, TX, Dawn Gilley and husband Roger of Homestead, 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, two sisters Betty Howard of Gainesville, GA and Margaret Whitener of Winston-Salem, NC, three nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by a son, Allen Whitener. The night of his passing, he was surrounded by all four generations of family who loved him dearly. Bill joined the USAF following high school and served three tours in Vietnam with the 1st Air Commando Squadron. He retired after 23 years of service to his country. Bill spent much of his life giving to his community. For many years he coached youth football and baseball in Homestead and was instrumental in building facilities for youth sports at Homestead AFB. He was nominated for Dade County Citizen of the Year for these efforts. Bill was a Model Railroad enthusiast and a member of the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in South Florida and spent many years raising money and working to restore a piece of American History. Bill was a member of St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Wellington and his services will be held there on April 21, 2014. Family Visitation at 10:30AM followed by Memorial Service at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Bill's favorite charities: Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org), CROS Ministry Food Pantry at St. Peter's United Methodist, and The Miracle League (wppomiracleleague.com).