Bill was born April 17th, 1933 in a farmhouse West of Coal, MO to Olney Hall and Madge Randel Whitlow. He was married Janet Louanna Chipman, daughter of Walter and Celia Chipman of Windsor, MO, in February 1956. After 59 years of marriage, Janet predeceased him on June 21st, 2015. He had one sister, Aubertine Carney, who predeceased him in August 2008.
Bill grew up on the family farm and graduated from Clinton High School in 1951. He went on to graduate from the University of Missouri in 1955 where he was a member of Farm House Fraternity. After college graduation, Bill served as a Lieutenant in the US Army and was stationed with his wife Janet in England until honorably discharged. They then made their way back to the US to settle near Calhoun, MO to set up a farming operation while working for Peabody Coal Co. Later, they moved to the family farm West of Coal, MO and expanded farming operations there.
While engaged in the family farming operation, Bill was elected for two terms to serve as Recorder of Deeds for Henry County, MO. He later owned and operated a real estate business and then established Whitlow Appraisals until his retirement in 2004.
Among various community service activities, he was a member and past President of the Mid-Day Optimist Club and two time past president of the Missouri Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He enjoyed hunting and fishing as his primary hobbies and was an active member of Good Hope Baptist Church in Coal, MO and then the First Baptist Church in Clinton, MO.
Bill is survived by two sons, Randel Chipman Whitlow of Overland Park, KS, and Paul Robert Whitlow of Clinton, MO.; one grandson, Austin Joseph Whitlow and his wife Kelsey of Platte City, MO.; two granddaughters, Jennifer Lauren Whitlow of Tucson, AZ, and Colleen Morgan Whitlow of Mission, KS.; one great-grandson, William Oliver Whitlow; two great-granddaughters, Ainsley June Whitlow and Frances Mabel Whitlow; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the 1st Baptist Church, Clinton. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association or the 1st Baptist Church Building Fund. These donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
