Obituary of William P. Whitaker

BALMAT – William P. Whitaker, age 75, of Balmat, NY passed away on November 24, 2023 with his family by his side. Bill had been battling being sick for a long time and fought until the end. He was born on May 21, 1948 in Herkimer, the son of Alton and Ruth (Collins) Whitaker, and graduated from Gouverneur High School. He married Terri Littlebrant on August 13, 1983 in the yard at their home that he built in Balmat. Bill was a hard worker. He served in the Army Reserve and then went on to work at the mill at St. Joe/ZCA, then did maintenance at Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg and various other jobs until retiring in 2011. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his little dog, Lia. Bill was a great story teller and lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed being in the outdoors hunting and fishing at his camp at Greenfield Pond Hunting Club. He also loved spending time on the Pontoon boat giving rides at Sylvia Lake. Bill is survived by his wife, Terri Whitaker and son, Scott Whitaker and his wife, Saddie; son, Casey Whitaker and his husband, Tom Prestes; daughter, Carrie Campbell; and grandchildren, Robert Michael and Chancellor Campbell; two brothers and their wives, Robert and Jacky Whitaker and Richard and Jo Ann Whitaker; several special nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Alton and Ruth Whitaker. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. in the Hailesboro Cemetery. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Ravinder Agarwal Renal Center, 124 Ford Ave., Ogdensburg NY 13669, or Upstate Transplant Center, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse NY 13210.