Billy (Bill ) Marvin Whitley, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, while residing in Ragley.
He was born in DeQueen, Ark. He attended DeQueen School through high school, where he used his musical talent as the student director and drum major of his high school band. He then went to McNeese State University, where he pursued two majors in music, both instrumental and vocal.
He was choir director and worship leader for several churches in the Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, and Moss Bluff areas for nearly 30 years.
For 41 years, he taught junior and senior high school English at Vinton High School and LaGrange High School in Louisiana and Little Cypress Mauriceville High School in Orange, Texas. While he was teaching full-time, he also worked part-time as a commissioned salesperson for ten years, taught homebound students for Calcasieu Parish, and taught speed reading and writing courses for students in the Lake Charles area. While teaching at LaGrange, he also taught English and American History in summer school each year.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Allen Whitley; children, Gwen Midkiff and husband, Alvin, Teri Duncan and husband, Mark, and Denise Whitley and husban Bryan; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and sister, Rory Stephens of DeQueen, Arkansas.
He was preceded by one brother; and a granddaughter, Jill Delaine Midkiff.
