Bill Whittredge died Sunday, Sept. 24, just two days after his 89th birthday.
He was born on Sept. 22, 1928 in Blue Creek Township, Indiana, the son of Ira and Florence Whittredge. Bill married Lois White on Sept. 1, 1951.
Bill was in the Army from 1946 to 1949, and was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. After marriage, the couple moved from Decatur, Ind., to Wayland. They continued to live at various locations in Michigan.
Bill started his career in the propane gas business as a cylinder/bulk deliver man at Van’s Gas and Electric. He was promoted to a service man and was awarded “Best Service Man in the Tri-State Area” (Michigan, Indiana and Ohio) in 1953. He came up the career ladder working for several Michigan-based companies such as Michigan Propane Gas Company, Pro-Gas sales and Service Company.
He joined the Marathon Oil Company Propane Division as Manager of the Marshall, Mich., plant. He was promoted to the home office of the propane division of Marathon Oil Company located in Flint as safety director, and held that position until his retirement in 1991. After retirement, Bill started his own company “Propane Systems and Operations” mostly involved in teaching propane safety. In this capacity, he was the most sought trainer for the propane industry’s Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) until 1999 when he closed PS&O and retired again. He received the Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA) award in 2004 for distinguished service and was given a life membership.
Bill belonged to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Safety Committee and worked on their Technology and Standards Committee for over 10 years.
Bill and Lois traveled extensively in the United States and worldwide. They belonged to an elite Travcoa Seven Continent Travel Club. In 2005 they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they lived until returning to Wayland in 2016.
Surviving besides his wife are his sister, Ann Moomey, and brother-in-law, Bob Moomey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bill’s brother, David Whittredge, preceded him in death.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, Wayland Chapel, 312 N. Main St., Wayland, with a time to visit with Bill’s family held from 1 p.m. until service time.
The family welcomes memories and messages online at www.kubiakcook.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
