W. Whitaker

W.V. "Short" Whitaker, 96, died May 29, 2016, at Desert Gardens Assisted Living. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mattie Mae, his parents, Fred Lester and Jennie Mae Whitaker, and his brothers, Lester and James. He is survived by two loving and devoted sons, Robert Whitaker of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and Jerry Whitaker of McCamey, Texas, and his sister Lahoma Sherwood of Zwolle, Louisiana.

Short was born December 27, 1919, in the small town of Hanna, Oklahoma. He spent his early years moving from Oklahoma to Colorado and back, often traveling by covered wagon. He had great respect for education and appreciated any opportunity to attend school. In the tenth grade, he left school to help his family run their farm. When he came of age, Short and his brother, Lester, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and were sent to Colorado to build roads and bridges.

In 1939, at the age of 20, he and Mattie married and moved to Monument, New Mexico. He was a member of the "Greatest Generation" serving his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1946. Upon his return from the Pacific, he began a career marked by hard work and resilience. In 1973, at the age of 53, Short earned his high school diploma. He and his family remain so very proud of this accomplishment. After retiring from a lengthy career with Warren Chevron, Short was happy to spend more time with Mattie, their sons, and grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling to Colorado, spending time with special friends, camping and fishing on the Conejos River.

"Papaw" was a constant presence in the lives of his family members, which now includes nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. He will forever be remembered for his quiet strength, easy laugh, Sunday afternoon phone calls, and for patiently teaching the art of tying a fishing knot. He will most certainly be missed.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Thursday, June 2, 2016
8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Prairie Haven Memorial Park Chapel
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, June 3, 2016
10:00 am

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Memorial Park
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240