Frederick William Whitley

March 23, 1931 - January 20, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
After a long and full life, Fred (Frederick William) Whitley passed on January 20, 2023. He was born on March 23, 1931 in Brandon, MB., the second and youngest son born to Herbert (Bert) James Whitley and Margarita Edel Mary (nee Garrett) Whitley.
Fred was raised in the Hayfield district (near Souris, MB) and attended Hebron school in the municipality of Souris-Glenwood and Brandon Collegiate. He was a cadet with the 82 Brandon Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. He qualified for and received a scholarship for pilot training in 1950.
Fred married Anna Jeanette Smith on March 27, 1951. He called the following home: Hayfield (Souris), MB; Brandon, MB; Frobisher, SK; Swift Current, SK; Kindersley, SK; Maidstone, SK; Leduc, AB; Edmonton, AB; Carbon, AB; Rimbey, AB; Alder Flats, AB; Red Deer, AB; and Bentley, AB.
Fred returned to Edmonton, AB in January of 2018 and spent the last two years of his life residing at the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans.
His work career encompassed farming and working in the oil industry. Oil field work ranged from being a battery operator, pipe fitter, oil field services, and well completions in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories.
He took an 'early' retirement at the age of 85 years as he felt that his body and mind were not up to a full-time job anymore. In Manitoba, farming included grain, turkeys, and registered pigs. The Alberta farm had a herd of registered Red Angus cattle.
Non-work activities included camping, fishing, curling, and hunting as well as continuing his passion with flying. He enjoyed flying his own planes or just taking a ride with anyone that was taking to the skies.
Fred did not believe in free time and was an active participant in all the communities that he lived in - a Tyro leader, a volunteer supporting Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, a member of Kinsmen until he aged out, and then over 50 years as a Lions member as well as working with the blind and the homeless communities.
Fred will be remembered by his children: Patricia Joan (Lloyd) Morrow, and Robert Joseph (Kim Knippel) Whitley; six grandchildren: Sandra Jo-Ann (Paul) Hykawy, Donna Marie (Joe) Donaldson, James Donald (Rose Hewko) Morrow, Cheryl Lynn (Nico) Van Ewyk, Tanya Nadine (Pat) Doyle, and Natasha Wynette (Jerry) Birch; eleven great-grandchildren: Terri Ray (Allen) Schmidt, Diana Marie Donaldson, Kevin James Hykawy, Scott Michael Donaldson, Jaylan Patrick Doyle, Kianna Doreen Doyle, Oliver George Birch, Seamus Lloyd Birch, Caitlynn Anika Morrow, Antonie Randall Van Ewyk, and Colette Barbara Birch; and two great-great-grandsons: Keegan Joseph Donaldson and Lyric James Schmidt.
He will also be remembered by three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Anna, daughter Marilyn Doreen Farnden, son Donald Frederick Whitley, his brother James Garrett Whitley as well as numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, two nieces, two nephews, and two great-nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 at 2:30 pm at Sylvan Lake Lions Hall, 5119 50A Avenue, Sylvan Lake, AB.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sylvan Lake Lions Club or to a local food bank.