He was born in Rockmart on Aug. 7, 1937, the son of the late Bruce Edward Whatley and Lessie Mullinax Whatley.
He was a United States veteran having served in the Army Airborne and a retiree of General Motors. He was a member of Lindsey Chapel Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Doyle Whatley and Charles Whatley.
Surviving are his wife, Billie Faye Richards Whatley; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki Whatley Tillery and Mike Tillery; son, Richard Whatley; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The graveside service was conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Polk Memory Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Nancy English and Mr. Jimmy Welchel officiating. Full military were conducted by Brewster-Cleveland American Legion Post #86 Honor Guard.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Blake Tillery, Brian Tillery, Jonathan Tillery, Eric Tillery, David Whatley, Daniel Whatley, Andrew Williams and Chris Wallace.
Honorary pallbearer was granddaughter, Allison Whatley.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home handled the arrangements.