Edgar Leland Whaley

Edgar Leland Whaley, of Knoxville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 1, 2016 at the age of 93. He was born on June 12, 1922 in Erwin, Tennessee. Due to the depression his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he spent his childhood and later graduated from Woodward High School. While there he developed a love for music and enjoyed playing saxophone and clarinet with the big jazz bands. He was a World War II veteran serving as Sergeant in the Army/Air Force stationed in Okinawa and received the Bronze Star and Victory Medal. He retired in 1984 from Wilson-Weesner-Wilkerson as head administration clerk. He spent his retirement years playing golf and enjoying his grandchildren. Eddie, known by most as papaw, had a vibrant personality with a sweet spirit that never met a stranger and will be sadly missed by all of his family. He was preceded in death by his mother Pearl Nichols and stepfather John Nichols; father James Whaley. Survived by ex-wife and close friend Joyce Whaley; daughter Holly (Whaley) LeQuire and her husband Donnie; son Sonick Ray Whaley; grandchildren Lyrica (LeQuire) Russell, Misty (LeQuire) Edwards and her husband Greg, and Amanda Whaley; great grandchildren Isaac, Landon, Oaklyn and Faith. Family and friends can call at their convenience 11:00 am- 7:00 pm, Monday, at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel. Family and friends will meet 1:45 pm, Tuesday, at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery for a graveside service at 2:00 pm, with Rev. David H. Sutton officiating and full military honors.