Dr. William Whiting

ANNA, Ill. -- Dr. William Hale Whiting, 83, of Anna died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 2, 1921, in Antigo, Wis., son of Ami Nelson and Beatrice Hale Whiting. He married Olive Marie Callaway Sept. 2, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wis.

Whiting graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1942, and from its school of medicine in 1945.

He served as a captain in the Army Medical Corps from 1943 to 1948.

Whiting was a country doctor in Union County 50 years. He began his practice in 1948 in Dongola, Ill., then moved to Anna in 1959. He served as medical director of several area nursing homes, was state medical reviewer for the Illinois Department of Public Health, a founding member of the Tri-County Health Department, was on staff at Union County Hospital, and had served as chairman and secretary of the county medical society.

He was also a past vice president of the Illinois Medical Society. He was involved in the Flying Physician's Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association, Carbondale Chapter. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Medal for his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America, and was a member and past president of Anna Kiwanis Club.

Whiting was a member and elder of United Presbyterian Church in Anna and then First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, Ill. He was past moderator of the Illinois Synod for the United Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, William "Ted" Whiting of Bailey, Colo., James Whiting of Pine Junction, Colo.; three daughters, Janet Winans of Seattle, Wash., Kathryn Stegle of Anna, Eleanor Osborn of Brighton, Mich.; a brother, James Whiting; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Cobden, with the Rev. Anette Westermark officiating. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery.