Marion Wooten

" Sailor Rest your Oars" Marion "Bill" Wooten, 82 of Whitney died on November 12, 2005 at Park Plaza Nursing Home in Whitney. Bill was born in Prairie Valley, Whitney on April 23, 1923 to James and Rosa Wooten. Upon graduation from Whitney High School in 1914, he joined the U. S. Navy. He married Beverly Jean Schrader on September 13, 1946 in San Diego, California. They had 59 years together. A retired air traffic controller, he lived most of his young life and retirement years in Whitney. After graduation from high school, his ambition was to join the U.S. Navy and see the world but Pearl Harbor changed most of his plans. His ship was in many South Pacific sea battles, the worst being Okinawa. During the last years in the Navy, he was a cryptographic operator, deciphering foreign codes. After 20 plus years of service, he was honorably discharged on March 5, 1962. Bill became an air traffic controller at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington for 20 years, retiring in the 70's. He was a member and deacon of Prairie Valley Baptist Church, a member of U. S. Naval Fleet Reserve; Naval Crypto Veterans Association and the Whitney VFW Post 8571. Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters, Babe and Leona and a brother, Dick. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Jean Wooten of Whitney; grandchildren, nieces and nephews.