Roland Eugene (Bill) Whitney, 78, of Austin, Texas passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. He was the son of the late Roland, Sr., and Letta Whitney.
Roland was born July 30, 1935 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, Roland continued his education receiving degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Administration, and many technical studies such as Principles of Electronics, Computer and Digital Equipment Theory. He also had complete knowledge of several computer languages.
Roland worked in Australia for several years for the USAF integrating the computer systems, and satellite programs as well as in Alaska with California and Houston, being home base, working on satellite tracking systems for Lockheed Missiles and Space Program.
After retirement from Lockheed, Roland owned several small businesses in California and Texas, and completely retired 4 years ago. Roland (Bill) was a very kind, generous and loving person. He had so many wonderful stories to tell about space programs and the moon landing. He loved being with people from all walks of life and will be missed by so many.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Bud, of Mesa, AZ, and his first wife, Shirley Ann Fenner Whitney.
He is survived by his wife, Su-Yiian Tsing Whitney, son, Dwayne, ( Tiajuana) of Cypress, Texas; daughter, Rhonda Webster; several grandchildren, including Travis and Tara Webster and Shannon Blair; sister, Betty Eppich; and niece, Sandy Eppich, of Mesa, AZ. He also had several step-children and step-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, at Wallace Mountain Cemetery, Dripping Springs, Texas, under the direction of Harrell Funeral Home, Austin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to a local Animal Shelter.
Condolences may be sent to: www.HarrellFuneralHomes.com .
