Eugene L. Whaley Sr.

Eugene L Whaley Sr., age 93, of Dover, DE stepped into Glory, reunited with his beloved wife Dorothea on Friday, February 10, 2023. Gene was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, who loved his family and family gatherings. Gene met his wife, Dot, at a local roller rink when he was 21 years old and they were married on May 10, 1952, in the Little Wedding Chapel in Elkton, Md. Gene served during the Korean War from May 26, 1952 thru February 26, 1954, in the 35th Infantry/101st Airborne Division, Breckinridge, KY, where he was honorably discharged from Active Duty. Gene continued his military service in the 736 Supply & Service Battalion Delaware Army National Guard for 20 yrs. Gene, a decorated veteran, retired as a SFC and received numerous Army Achievement Medals, including the Conspicuous Service Cross. Gene stopped in Japan on his way back home from Korea and was asked to entertain some of his buddies. He loved to play his guitar & sing country music. Whether he was at home or on family vacations to visit relatives, music was always at the center and a big part of his life. Gene was a good provider who worked as a chef at the Hotel DuPont for several years and continued in Food Service Management throughout his life. Gene was very active. He loved coming home from work and playing kickball, softball, or some sort of fun activity with his children and the neighborhood children. Gene loved fishing with his daughter, taking the youngest to carnivals and golfing with his son & best friend Fred. In his earlier years, Gene pitched for his church softball team and he and Dot were part of a bowling league. Gene was born on September 2, 1929, in War, West Virginia, son of the late Virgil & Lucy Kirk Whaley. Gene was preceded in death by his 2 brothers & 4 sisters along with his beloved wife of 65 years, Dorothea C. Whaley, on June 4, 2017. Gene will be dearly missed by his brother, Tommy Whaley, West Jefferson OH; daughters, Colleen E McKee (Jim) Newark; Carolyn “Jane” Williams (Chuck) Newark; son, Eugene L Whaley, Jr. (Rolinda) Augusta, GA; daughter, Susan D Fox, Camden-Wyoming; son, Lewis E West, Sr. (Jo Anne) Gautier, MS. Grandchildren: Jami C McKee-Games, Newark; Christine M Petrucci (Daniel), Dover; C Eric Williams, (Tina), Elkton, MD; Eugene L Whaley III, Wilmington; Erica L Goolsby (Christian) Augusta, GA; Joshua R Messick (Courtney) Dover; Lewis E West, Jr (Renee) Rome GA; Stephanie West Ladner (Nick) West End, NC; great-grandchildren: Ashley Sacher (Tommy), Middletown; Adriana Games, NJ; Alexandria & Mark Games, CO; Autumn Games, Middletown; Giuliana & Anthony Petrucci, Dover; Jaylin Williams, Augusta, GA; Jackson Messick, Dover; Ethan & Aiden West, Rome, GA; Lorelai & Ryleigh Ladner, West End, NC; Christopher Bradley (Tay) CT; Lynn & Michael Wise, Elkton MD. great-great-grandchildren: Aspen Sacher, Felix Bradley, Kehlani Kennedy & Neveah Wise. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 10:30-11:30 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchman’s Road, Newark DE 19702 Burial will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. For directions or to send online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com.

Eugene L. Whaley Sr.

September 2, 1929 - February 10, 2023

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