William Earl Whisenant

William Earl “Whiz” Whisenant, 97, died on December 26, 2022, after a Christmas surrounded by his family and their love. He was born in Heavner, Oklahoma to Clyde Earl Whisenant and Pearl Huie Whisenant.

Whiz grew up in Poteau, OK where he met his future wife, Joyce Harper Whisenant. He left high school during his senior year to enter the Navy V-12 program. After WWII, he completed his education at the University of Oklahoma where he became a devoted Sooner football fan. (His basketball allegiance came later in life when he became a true, blue Tar Heel.) HIs business career at US Steel spanned four decades.

He and Joyce moved from Tulsa to Memphis and then to Charlotte where they lived for 47 years. In Charlotte, Whiz coached youth football for many years and served Trinity Presbyterian Church in a number of roles. In 2012, Joyce and Whiz moved to Durham to be closer to family.

Whiz was a man of many accomplishments and talents — a fierce protector of those he loved, a master storyteller, a devoted friend with many deep relationships, and most of all, a loving, supportive husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his son, William D. Whisenant, and daughter-in-law, Kelly Ross; four grandchildren, Melissa Cathleen Towne, Patrick William Towne (wife, Victoria Duggan), Alison Ross Newman (husband, Ryan), and William Ross Whisenant (partner, Ashley Farwell); and his beloved great-granddaughter, Rosemary Beatrice Towne. He is predeceased by his wife, Joyce Harper Whisenant, daughter, Gail Whisenant Towne, and sister, Louise Whisenant Green.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of Nightingale Care Service, Atria Southpoint, UNC Hospice, and UNC Geriatric Medicine for their skilled and compassionate care.

A celebration of Whiz’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30 at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to UNC Geriatric Medicine (123 W. Franklin St. Suite 510, Chapel Hill, NC 27516) or the charity of your choice.

Hall-Wynne Funeral Service is assisting the family.