William "Bill" Garland Whistler, Jr.

Our dad, William Garland Whistler, Jr. -known to just about everyone as Bill- decided he was done at age 96. He passed away peacefully at home in Augusta, Kansas, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, surrounded by family, and while we're heartbroken, we're also incredibly grateful for a long, curious, love-filled life well lived.

Dad was born August 2, 1929, in Burlington, Kansas, to Elsie Leota (McCormick) and William Garland Whistler, Sr. He graduated from Norton High School in 1947 and later from Kansas State University in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in journalism (and yes, he also studied psychology and social sciences-because of course he did). He served in the U.S. Army and later spent his career doing what he loved: telling stories and chasing facts. He began as a sportswriter and photographer for the Wellington Daily News and ended his 30-year career as managing editor of the Kansas City Kansan. If there was a game, an athlete, or a moment worth capturing, Dad wanted to be there-with his notebook or camera, and usually both.

Dad's favorite place on earth was Rocky Mountain National Park. He loved setting up camp, getting the fire just right, hiking all day, and then heading to the amphitheater at night to watch ranger programs under the stars. He knew the wildlife, the trails, and probably more random park facts than the rangers themselves. That love of learning was pure Dad. He read everything. He researched endlessly. If you needed to buy a car, plan a vacation, or settle a debate, he was already ten steps ahead with facts, comparisons, and footnotes-an inherited trait from his own dad that he proudly passed down to the rest of us.

Music was another lifelong passion. Dad loved to sing and was part of various choir groups in his younger years. At one point, his record collection numbered nearly 1,500 albums, reflecting a wide range of tastes-from classical and big band to country music (the kind made before the 2000s). Music, like reading and learning, was something he returned to again and again. He was also an avid sports fan, especially when it came to K-State, his alma mater, and attended several bowl games.

During WWII, Dad's father worked at North American Aviation in Kansas City, Kansas, where Dad would watch wide-eyed as newly modified B-25s took to the skies. That early spark turned into a lifelong love of airplanes, and it shaped a lot of our family fun-cheap weekends at the KC Downtown Airport watching planes come and go, and trips to air shows we still smile about today.

Family mattered more to Dad than anything. He often talked with Mom-Jackie-about how amazing it was that their entire family started with just the two of them. He worried endlessly about his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and he never missed a chance to tell us he loved us.

On November 21, 1953, Dad married the love of his life, Jacqueline "Jackie" Jean (née Button), in Norton, Kansas, and they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage. She survives him, along with their daughter, Susan Schwemmer (Neil) of Augusta, Kansas; son, Jerry Whistler (Lee Ann Bennett) of Lawrence, Kansas; grandchildren, Aubrie Lockamy (Trever) of Augusta, Kansas, Courtney Powers (Aaron) of Augusta, Kansas, and Ashley Mannix (Brendan) of Chicago, Illinois; and great-grandchildren, Ellis, Ezra, and Birdie Lockamy; Reid, Mack, Rowan, and Miller Powers; and Morgan and Connor Mannix.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elsie Whistler; stepmother, Glenora Whistler; son, Alan Whistler; brother, Jack "J.D." Whistler; sister-in-law, Norma Whistler; sister-in-law, Sharon Bird; and daughter-in-law, Lee Ann Bennett.

We will miss Dad's steady presence, his endless knowledge, his quiet worry, and his constant love. We imagine him now-camera in hand, book nearby, probably correcting a fact or two-and we smile.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Headley Funeral Chapel in Augusta, Kansas, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens in Shawnee, Kansas, on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.