William Harris Whatley, better known as Bill, 77, of Huntsville, Alabama passed peacefully on September 27, 2026 at home.
Bill was born at Drake Infirmary at Auburn University on February 11, 1949, to James Columbus Whatley and Lucille Holladay Whatley. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1967 and Auburn University in 1974. He spent a year in Hogansville, Georgia, teaching high school and coaching football and basketball.
While attending Auburn University, Bill met his lifelong love, Ruby Mann Whatley. They married on June 26, 1976, in New Hope, and began their life together in Huntsville, where Bill built a successful career in insurance sales. Bill loved to travel and won several trips through his business, allowing Ruby and him to travel to Hawaii, Spain, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Of all the places he visited, though, he believed there was no place more beautiful than the beaches of Destin, Florida, where he returned with his family year after year.
Bill loved playing sports and watching them. Having grown up in Auburn, he was an avid Auburn fan. He helped his daughter, Lindsey, pitch softball for years and spent his years raising his two daughters as a devoted supporter of every activity they participated in. He was the same way with his grandchildren, traveling to Auburn to watch his grandsons’ soccer, lacrosse, and basketball games, and frequenting softball, volleyball, soccer games, and school events of his grandchildren in Huntsville.
Bill had a gift for connecting with people and building lasting friendships, especially through his love of Auburn sports, church, and his daughters’ activities. He found joy in serving others through church missions and in simply enjoying life with the people he loved, including on the dance floor. Bill brought joy wherever he went, and his warmth, humor, and larger-than-life spirit made every gathering more fun and every friendship more special.
For the past 7 years, he fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Despite unbelievable challenges, his positive attitude, gentle strength, and kind manners never wavered. Bill embraced his deep, unwavering faith, which gave him peace and hope throughout this difficult journey. The family is especially grateful to Anna Moseley and Emily Duck of North Alabama Hospice for their steadfast, loving care of Bill, and Ruby is deeply grateful to her sisters, brothers, and their families for their love and support during this time.
Bill leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, his sister, Linda Whatley of Homewood, his brother, Jim Whatley of Auburn, his daughters, Ashley (Michael) Aston of Auburn, Lindsey Whatley of Hampton Cove, and his grandchildren, Henry and George Aston, Mabel, Ruby, and Billy Stubblefield. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Whatley.
The visitation will be held at Cove Church, 366 Old Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads on Sunday, October 4th at 1:30 pm with the funeral directly following at 2:30 pm. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntsville Meals on Wheels (2200 Drake Ave SW) or Cove Church.
www.nhfh.net
