Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle from February 22 to February 23, 2012

Robert Whitfill
Robert Kenneth "Ken" Whitfill passed away on February 20, 2012. He was born March 28, 1921 in Floyd County, Texas, the oldest son of Joseph and Theresa Whitfill, and grew up on a farm near Pottsboro, Texas.

Ken graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 as a Distinguished Student with a Bachelor of Science. He received a commission in the United States Marine Corps and served with the 3rd Marine Division in the South Pacific for 27 months, making amphibious landings at Bougainville, Emaru, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Ken retired with the rank of Major from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1964.

He met the love of his life, Veva C. Clausen, of Hamilton, Illinois, while stationed at Quantico. In support of the war effort, Veva had moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the federal government. They married on November 18, 1945 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sherman, Texas.

Ken retired as the Gulf Coast regional manager of the Fuller Brush Company in 1987.

Ken was active in the Lions Club, the Aggie Club, and the Catholic Church. He served as President of the Houston Downtown Lions Organization from 1977 to 1978, having joined the organization in 1949. Ken was also active in the Lions District 2-S2, serving as the President of the Lions Foundation for Sight from 2004 to 2006. He began the Seeing is Believing gala, which raised money for sight research.

For over 50 years, Ken served as an usher at Houston-area churches, including St. Peter the Apostle, Holy Ghost, and St. Francis De Sales.

Ken is preceded in death by his wife, Veva, and son, Robert. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Barbara Jean and Robert Byington of Winston Salem, NC, and Aileen Whitfill and Harley Duncan of Arlington, VA; his son, Stanley Whitfill of Houston, TX; and three grandsons, Michael Byington, Paul Duncan and Max Duncan. His sister, Billye Burk; brothers, James Ray and his wife Kathryn, and John and his wife Elizabeth; and sister-in-law, Philene Whitfill, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, are still living.

Ken donated his body to Baylor College of Medicine. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd. A reception will follow at The Hampton, 2929 Post Oak Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Texas Lions Camp, P.O Box 290247, Kerrville, Texas 78029, or to a charity of choice .