Wherever he saw a need, he stepped forward to meet it, especially when it came to serving fellow veterans. He helped form the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association when the water wars with Georgia began, and he worked for the betterment of his community by helping organizations such as Lakeside Hospice, the Pell City Schools Foundation, Leadership Pell City, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and local chapters of the American Cancer Society.
He sought names of fallen veterans and personally paid to have their names added to memorial monuments. He served on several municipal boards as a volunteer and served as president of civic and professional organizations.
He was a man who made a difference.
Mayor Bill Hereford said Whatley was involved in “virtually every worthwhile project that took place here,” and called him the conscience of the community.
He made a real difference to his community. He will be missed.
