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NEWTON - William Ramseur Whitener, 78, loving husband, father and grandfather, of Newton, NC, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born October 10, 1930 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Joseph Claude Whitener and Antha Wilkinson Whitener.

A member of First United Methodist Church in Newton, he served as a Sunday School teacher for over 45 years; the last 8 years he taught the Men’s Bible Class which aired Sunday mornings on WNNC. He worked in Catawba County education for 35 years, where he taught at Banoak Elementary School, Maiden Elementary School, and College Park Junior High School in Hickory, and served as principal of Blackburn Middle School for 18 years. Following that, he served as principal at several other elementary schools in the county. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Barbara Hefner Whitener of Newton; daughters, Kim Whitener of Claremont and Terra Butler and husband, Brett of Newton; a son, William Brent Whitener and wife, Tracy of Troutman; grandchildren, Alex Butler, Morgan Butler and Sara Whitener; brothers, Jack Whitener and wife, Margie of Claremont, and Joe Whitener of Maiden; and sisters, Mary Frances “Bobbie” Whisenant of Conover, Elizabeth Connor of Claremont, and Becky Ramsey and husband, Ronald of Conover.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Newton. Rev. Fred Thompson and Rev. Dan Martin will officiate. Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park with military honors conducted by American Legion Post #16.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Radio Fund, P.O. Box 926, Newton, NC 28658.

The Whitener family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.

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