Beloved husband and father, retired mayor, environmentalist and champion of people and their causes, Bill Whitfield’s love of life, his family, and others didn’t come to an end with his death. Bill went to be with our Lord Jesus on October 27, 2021 at the age of 91 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by family who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest and always remembering their husband, dad, father-in-law, and Papa Bill loved them dearly.
Bill was born in Hill County on Groundhog’s Day, February 2, 1930. His was blessed with two loving parents, Bryan and Elsie Whitfield, and three older siblings, Woodrow, J.B., and Helen. Bill grew up on a farm about halfway between Itasca and Hillsboro. As he said, “While we didn’t have any money, there was a lot of love, and we ate good. The things that really amount to much were there.” Cotton was one of the major crops on the farm and Bill grew up hoeing and picking cotton. Turns out he was ambidextrous so he could chop cotton left- and right-handed. When talking about Bill, his uncles who also were farmers said, “That’s one hoein’ son of a gun!”
Bill was introduced to the love of his life, Jo Ann Miller, on Christmas vacation of 1948. One of his best friends talked him into going on a blind date with Jo Ann. Bill always said when he met Jo Ann, he thought she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. They were married on April 29, 1950 and remained happily married for over 71 years! It was a wonderful lifelong partnership. Bill and Jo Ann had two daughters, Denise Rose of Columbus, North Carolina, and Michele Cox of Carrollton, Texas.
When it came to school, Bill went to a small two-room schoolhouse through the ninth grade. Then he moved to Itasca High for the remainder of his high school years. He played football, basketball, and baseball and was proud of having been a Wampus Cat. When he was 18, Bill began his college career at North Texas Agricultural College (today known as UT Arlington) but after two years put his pursuit of a degree on hold to get married. Education was always important to Bill so in his 50’s, he returned to complete his Bachelor’s degree at Wayland Baptist University and was later awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the university.
Bill started his career in sales with Kraft Foods. He worked for Kraft for 30+ years and was awarded the prestigious J. L. Kraft Award for his “unusual initiative and meritorious service.” While Bill retired from Kraft, he never quit working. After retirement, Bill became a two-term City Councilman for the City of McKinney and then the Mayor of McKinney for two terms. During his tenure as Councilman and Mayor, McKinney was the nation’s fastest growing city among cities with more than 50,000 people. When entering office, Bill’s goal was to work on improving transportation, developing and protecting water resources, and preserving McKinney’s natural beauty. Bill was privileged to be involved in the development of Highways 121 and 75 through McKinney, the enhancement of the McKinney National Airport, preservation of the Crepe Myrtle Trails and water resources, and the renovation of McKinney’s historic courthouse into a Fine Arts center.
Bill was an environmentalist at heart. After moving to McKinney and observing what he believed to be unnecessary erosion that needed to be stopped, Bill developed into a water rights expert and was recognized for his knowledge and sought after for his expertise by U.S. Congressmen and Senators. In addition, he was invited to Paris to participate in an European Union (EU) Parliament panel meeting on water issues.
Bill was a Master Gardner with a love for building and teaching others how to build a greener future and providing a food source to others through sustainable gardens. Throughout McKinney, Bill helped create various gardens of beautiful flowers and vegetables. In addition, Bill was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening, skiing, and anything that would bring him outdoors. He even loved sitting outside in the heat of Texas summers just to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and talk to people that walked by.
Bill was awarded many honors in his life including being the President of North Texas Habitat for Humanity and Mayor of McKinney. While these honors were greatly appreciated and enjoyed, Bill would say his greatest honor was being married to his wife, Jo Ann, being the father of his two girls, and Papa Bill to his grand and great grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of McKinney, Texas; his daughter Denise Rose (and husband John) of Columbus, North Carolina; his daughter Michele Cox (and husband Gary) of Carrollton, Texas; his grandson, Christopher Cox (and wife Kilee and daughter Hannah) of Edmond, Oklahoma; and his granddaughter, Calli Leighton (and husband Michael) of Nashville, Tennessee.
Bill will always be remembered for his big heart, contagious personality, tremendous energy, and having never met a stranger in his life.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at High Pointe Church of Christ, 3201 North Central Expressway, McKinney, Texas 75071. A reception will follow the service at the church before the graveside. A committal service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Pecan Grove Cemetery, 1701 South McDonald, McKinney, Texas 75069. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Bill’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://hp.church/resources/watch-live. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
Memorial contributions may be given in Bill’s honor to Collin County Habitat for Humanity, https://habitatcollincounty.org/; Cornerstone Ranch, 3933 CR 317, McKinney, Texas; The Samaritan Inn, or Meals on Wheels Collin County.