Obituary

William "Bill" Whitley, 89 and Natalino "Nat" Whitley, 61 died tragically on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, due to gun violence.

Just a quick glimpse into their journeys,

Bill was born on December 1, 1932, in Zachary, LA to Charley and Viola. He was the 9th of 12 siblings. Bill had two children, a son (Natalino) and daughter (Isabella) from his first marriage to Milvia (aka Jacqueline). After the marriage ended, he would go on to spend the next 47 years with the love of his life Mittie James.

Nat was born on December 25, 1959, in Vicenza, Italy to Bill and Milvia (aka Jacqueline). Nat married his first love Lynn on April 13, 1990, and they were blessed with two boys (Natalino Jr and Dontaye). He and Lynn remained fully in love and devoted to each other until her passing from breast cancer on March 24, 2013. After many years of grief, he fell in love with his best friend Simone. The two married on May 19th, 2019, and with Simone he would be given his final blessing, a daughter (Isabella).

Their Passions and Gifts of Life

Bill and Nat shared many of the same characteristics and traits and while they would say differently, we all knew they did.

Bill and Nat shared a strong passion for family and friends. If you were fortunate enough to be counted as either, you knew they always had your back. They shared a love for laughter and had an uncanny ability to tell a story in a way that would have you rolling on the floor laughing and crying at the same time. Both men could be found sipping on scotch while listening to music.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Mittie, son Natalino, parents Charley and Viola; sisters Ruby Douglas and Rose Stewart, brothers Welton, Wilbert, Odell, Felton, Leon and Clifton.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughter Isabella (Curt)Caffey, daughter-in-law Simone, grandchildren Natalino II (Kecia), Danielle, Dontaye, Isabella; great-grandchildren Natalia, Natalino III, Peyton and Kylen, his brother Sterling, sisters Alma W Knighton, Bernice Whitley and Dorothy W Merkison, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Nat was preceded in death by his first wife Lynn, stepmother Mittie and his father William.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife Simone; sons Natalino II, Dontaye, daughter Isabella; grandchildren Natalia and Natalino III; his mother Jacqueline, (stepfather Jethro) Kendrick; sisters Isabella (Curt) Caffey, Milvia Kendrick; brother Jethro (Sharon) Kendrick Jr, a host of relatives and friends.