William T. Whitten, 82, WWII U.S. Marine Veteran

He was born August 8, 1919 in Etta, Mississippi. He was a Vermilion resident for the past 40 years, moving from Tennessee.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving in Okinawa, Sipan and Tinian during WWII.

He worked as a spray painter for the Lorain Ford Plant retiring in 1978 after 37 years.

He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Vermilion and the Vermilion Ely Lodge 424 F.A.& M, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite. He enjoyed gunsmithing and turkey shoots at Beaver Creek and the Coon Club.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Nancy Gaston of Round Rock, TX and Sarah Cherven of Elyria, OH; 2 sons, Noel Whitten of Amherst, OH and grandchildren; and 2 great great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue (nee Terrance); a son, Bobby Whitten, a daughter Jeanette Hart, 4 brothers, Noel, Fred, Theodore and Malcomb Whitten; 2 sisters, Maudie and Lillian and his parents, Paten and Mary (nee Bonds) Whitten.

Friends may call Friday from 5-9 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio where a Masonic service will be conducted at 7 p.m.

Service will be held at the Riddle Funeral Home, Saturday, July 13, 2002 at 10 a.m. The Reverend Lowell Whitten will be officiating.

Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, where the Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct a military graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Hospice 5255 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035.