Jim Whitley

James Rufus Whitley, Senior (Jim), 90, of 720 Strickland Road, Chester, SC, formerly of Rock Hill, SC, passed away unexpectedly on May 19, 2021, working on the farm that he loved.

A family graveside service was held Saturday, May 21, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord, NC.

He was born on February 17, 1931 in Kannapolis, NC to the late Julian King Whitley and Myrtle Wynne Whitley. Jim graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1954 and returned to Concord marrying the love of his life Norma Louise Whitley (Cannon), on September 1st, 1956 at First Presbyterian Church. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Colonel after serving three tours in Vietnam. Jim went on to work as a financial advisor for Legg, Mason, Wood, Walker in Newport, VA and Davenport in Gloucester, VA. After retirement, Jim continued to farm full time until the day he died at 90 years old.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Louise; sons, James R. Whitley, Jr and wife Karen, William C. Whitley and wife LeeAnne, and Charles C. Whitley Sr. and wife Allison; grandchildren, Emily C. Larson (Peter), James J. Whitley, Joseph C. Whitley (Phoebe), William C. Whitley, Jr. (Abbey), Margaret Louise Whitley, John Berres Whitley, Charles Craft Whitley, Jr., Shaw Cannon Whitley, Wyatt Coltrane Whitley, Davis Stephen Whitley, Wynne Thomas Whitley, Stella MariaLouise Whitley, and Albert Fitch Whitley; great grandchildren, Whitley Elizabeth Larson, and Jackson Riley Larson.

On-line condolences may be left at www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com
Memorials may be sent to York County Free Clinic, York SC