William L. Whitney

William Lindbergh Whitney was born on September 11, 1933, in Fairfield, North Carolina, to the late Lucy Burrus Whitney and Otis “Tobe” McAllen. He departed this earthly life on August 11, 2026, surrounded at his bedside by his wife, sisters, and other loved ones. Family and friends lovingly called Whitney “Lindbergh,” while his wife called him “Will.” He joined Snow Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Fairfield, North Carolina, at an early age and graduated from the Hyde County School System. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for eight years. Following his service, he settled in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he raised his children and later retired from Lorillard Tobacco Company. In his later years, he became a member of Coliseum Boulevard Church of Christ in Greensboro. Whitney enjoyed traveling with his wife and fishing, especially on the Outer Banks and at Lake Mahamuskeet in his hometown area. He was a kind, gentle man of few words. Whitney was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Tobe Whitney; his daughter, Pauline; his granddaughter, Devonda “Dee Dee”; his sons, Maurice Carter and Marshall Smith; his brothers, George Whitney, James “Bob” Whitney, Otis Whitney, Edward Whitney, John “JD” Whitney, Alphonso Whitney, and Curtis Whitney; and his sisters, Shirley Whitney, Alice Collins, Helen Stevens, and Ina Farrow. He leaves to cherish his loving memory his devoted wife, Ruth Smith Whitney; his son, Vincent Terrell Whitney of Greensboro, North Carolina; two sisters, Clara McCoy of Fairfield, North Carolina, and Mary “Joyce” Swain of Washington, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.