Bollinger County begins process to replace official

Wayne Whitener, a well-liked and active local public servant, died last week, leaving Bollinger County without one of its three county commissioners.

No formal discussions have taken place about how to fill the vacancy for the second district, and presiding commissioner Wayne Johnson wouldn't comment about people who might be able to fill the role.

Eventually, the Bollinger County Republican Committee will nominate someone to take the seat, then will take that nomination to Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, a former Bollinger County commissioner himself. Jetton would then make a nomination to the governor who will appoint a new commissioner.

The county has notified the governor about the vacancy.

Whitener died at his home Nov. 19.

"Wayne was a very good friend of mine and when you asked him for his opinion he would always give it honestly," Johnson said. "History will probably show him to be amongst many of our very best associate commissioners," Johnson added.

He was elected in 2000 for the position of Bollinger County Associate Commissioner and he was active with the Patton Lions Club and VFW Post 5900. He served as an alderman for the City of Marble Hill and as a park board member. He volunteered with the Marble Hill Food Pantry and the senior center Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce as a past president. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church at Leopold, Mo., and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus with Council 5898.

He served in the Air Force from January 1955 until November 1958.

Johnson said it's Wayne's friendship that he will miss the most.

"I told Wayne's family that the Bible has a lot to say about brothers and a lot about friends," Johnson said, "Wayne was like a brother and friend that would never forsake you."