Obituary of William A. Whiteman

Elmira:  Age 84, passed away on January 11, 2023.  Bill was born and raised in Elmira, a son of Louis A. and Marion (Powell) Whiteman.    He is predeceased by his fiancée Marilyn Sbedico.  Bill is survived by his companion Eleanor S. Genung.

Bill was a graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School.  He began a long career with General Electric in 1958 after receiving an AAS degree in Electrical Technology from Broome Technical Community College.  His first assignment with Heavy Military was as a technician on the Atlas Guidance System.  He later worked as an engineering technician where he designed centered high frequency circuits and gained further experience with missile tracking systems.  Other assignments took Bill to Myrtle Beach SC and various sites located throughout Germany.  During his career with GE he was a Product Specialist in Marketing, contributing much to the company and earning the respect of his colleagues. Stick-to-itiveness is a word never better illustrated than to have heard Bill recount his 7 years pursuing a BS degree in Operations Management in the evening at Syracuse University while continuing to hold down a full time job.  Taking three courses each semester, Bill’s day started at 8:00 a.m. and continued until 10:00 p.m. three days a week.  His weekends were partially taken up with homework or writing term papers.  With his educational pursuits behind him, Bill was able to spend time remodeling the basement of his home, collecting and assembling classic metal car models,  building and rebuilding grandfather clocks.  For most of his adult life Bill enjoyed communicating on his citizens band “CB” radio with his CB handle being “Toro.”  He also enjoyed Christmas Holidays, science fiction books, warm weather, country western music, Pink Floyd music, and ping pong, doing very well in many New York State tournaments!  Each Spring on May 1^st, Bill would start work on his beautifully maintained flower beds.  Bill loved his puppy dogs, Spunky 1, Spunky 2 and Spunky 3. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Bill on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira.  Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, the same day.

A luncheon will follow the Mass at Anthony's Restuarant, Calrion Inn, 760 E Water Street, Elmira.