William Harrison "Bill" Whitman, 79, of Du Quoin, passed away at 3:30 P.M., Saturday, December 27, 2025 at his residence.
Bill had worked as a general foreman for Consolidated Coal Company for thirty-four years.  Bill learned to work hard from his Dad and Grandpa about the age of 12.  They had a masonry business and Bill was the runner for them.  Bill was a career coal miner.  He worked for Consol Coal at every mine in Southern Illinois for thirty-years.  He also worked at American Coal for a few years.  His good friend, Randy Richmond, once hired him twice to work at the former Hicks Oil.  One of his favorite jobs was driving the shuttle at Marshall Browning Hospital.  He was affectionately known as "Golf Cart Bill".  Bill was also a two time Exalted Ruler at the Du Quoin Elks.  He proudly oversaw their 100th anniversary and the renovation of their present location in St. Johns.  Bill, at times, was the neighborhood lawn guy taking care of about six yards.  He loved working outside.  He always told Leroy, the more flowers she had him plant was less grass he had to mow.  His passion was playing golf.  He had a special group he played with, some for fifty years.  He and Leroy loved playing in golf tournaments.  He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and was an enthusiastic St. Louis Cardinal fan.  Bill loved his family and was very proud of his daughters and grandchildren.
He was born September 23, 1946 in Canton, IL, the son of Joe and Beatrice (Bowman) Whitman.
He married Linda Montroy on February 2, 1991 in Du Quoin, IL and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, three daughters - Kimberly Rae Whitman of Commerce City, CO, Koreen "Kori" Lyn Whitman Gray of Graham, WA, and Kelly Jo Whitman of St. Louis, MO, five grandchildren - Shelbi (Taylor) Buderus of Alpharetta, GA, Tanner (Jena) Kelly of Commerce City, CO, Aaron (Sarah) Gray of New Orleans, LA, Lauren (Eli) Stredicke of Bellingham, WA, and Madalyn Gray of Puyallup, WA, two great granddaughters - Salem Lavon Kelly of Commerce City, CO, and Joan Nicole Stredicke of Bellingham, WA, one brother-in-law - Dan Tilley of Du Quoin, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his special fur baby - Delta Blue.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister - Jan "Jake" Jenkins, father-in-law and mother-in-law - Joe and Dorothy Montroy, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law - Mary (Bob) Buergin, Darlene (Dan) Bowling, Shirley (Hank) Roosken, Norma (Roger) Kirk, Margaret Tilley, nieces and nephew - Barb Maze, Pamela Glasser, and Erik Glasser, and fur baby - Alley.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rex Emery officiating.
Friends may call from 11 A.M. until the time of service on Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin, IL.
Friends may make memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.