Carroll Wayne Whiteford

Carroll W. Whiteford, 86, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 27, 2015, at his home in Ottawa, Kansas, with his family by his side. Celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, August 31, 2015, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Family will meet with friends from 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., Sunday, August 30, 2015, at the mortuary. Inurnment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. Carroll was born Tuesday, June 11, 1929, at his family’s farm home in Anderson County, Kansas, the son of Carroll Heustis and Rozella Jeannetta (Dearinger) Whiteford. He grew up in Anderson County attending grades one through eight at Amiot, a one-room country school and graduated from Garnett High School with the class of 1947. Carroll worked for Warner Manufacturing, Palmer Industries and Nauman Logging during the years of 1947 to 1950. He spent two summers 1950 and 1951 working for his cousin, Elmer and Beuna Shilling, on their ranch near Texhoma, Oklahoma. He enjoyed the work and the people there very much and it formed a lifelong bond with their family. Beuna and Elmer have passed on but their daughter, Elner came to see Carroll recently and they had a great time visiting and sharing memories. Carroll served in the United States Army two years, 1951 and 1952. He did basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was sent to Germany from July, 1951 through December, 1952. He attained the rank of Private First Class in Battalion Supply and drove a truck that picked up rations for his battalion. He worked at Sunflower Ordinance from March 1953 until 1956 when he entered Molar Barber College in Kansas City. Upon graduation he went to work for Ted Bidleman in 1957 at Ottawa’s Palace Barber Shop. After Ted’s death, he bought the shop from Ted’s widow. He worked there fifty years, making many lasting friendships with his customers, retiring June 2007. Carroll married Georgia Faye Hutchison June 6, 1954, at the Richmond Methodist Church. They lived in Ottawa their entire married life except when he was in barber school in Kansas City. She survives of the home. Also surviving are three sons, Matthew Noah Whiteford and wife Patsy of Hutchinson, Mark Wayne Whiteford of Ottawa, and Timothy George Whiteford and wife Debbie of Kansas City, Missouri; granddaughters, Jennifer Houk and husband Rickey of Kansas City, Missouri, and Kimberly Grosse and husband Aaron of Lawrence; grandson, Luke Alexander Whiteford of Kansas City, Missouri; brother, Ivan Whiteford of Osawatomie; sisters, Mary Stumpff of Edgerton, and Jean Rose of Topeka; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Rozella Whiteford and brothers, James and Dale. Carroll and Georgia joined the First United Methodist Church in 1954, where they’ve remained active members. Carroll joined the Ottawa Kiwanis Club in May 1965, where he was recognized for fifty years of service May 2015. Over the years, Carroll and Georgia enjoyed spending time with their friends playing cards and taking canoe trips every summer from 1991 to 2000. They belonged to a bridge club, pinochle club and square danced with Ottawa Promenaders. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf. He was also a huge country music fan. He learned to play guitar while a teenager and enjoyed sitting in and playing with various groups all his life. He played on music nights with his friends at Sunflower Plaza. Georgia invited the family to celebrate Carroll’s 86th birthday on music night. It was a lovely evening enjoyed by all. Carroll was a kind and gentle man who worked tirelessly for his family. His presence will be deeply and sadly missed. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post condolences and memories to Carroll’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.