Mr. Paul William “Bill” Whitaker, 95, of Lebanon, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Signature Healthcare at Parkwood in Lebanon.

He was born April 29, 1931, in Hillsboro, a son of the late Ora Aaron and Ossie Clara (Swank) Whitaker. Bill married Joyce Gale McCutchan on July 26, 1953, and she preceded him in death on October 14, 2023.

Bill graduated from Hillsboro High School, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He enlisted in the US Airforce in December 1951 at McCord Base in Tacoma, Washington and was honorably discharged in December 1954. He owned and operated Shell stations in Waynetown and later Carmel. He went on to build elevators with Amco. He also worked as a driver for Taylor Oil, making deliveries, and later became part of the company's mowing crew.

Bill had a love for music and enjoyed singing with the traveling quartet, “The Wabashfuls.” He was an avid card player and also enjoyed bowling, water skiing, tending to his vegetable and flower gardens, wood crafting, and berry picking. Fishing trips and annual hunting trips to Wyoming were among his favorite pastimes, with the Wyoming trips eventually becoming a cherished family tradition.

Bill was also committed to his community. He served as a volunteer firefighter in Zionsville and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his daughter, Debra (Michael “Whitey”) Campbell of Lebanon; daughters-in-law, Sheryl Whitaker of Odessa, MO and Amy Whitaker of Simpsonville, KY; grandchildren, Jerico (Sara) Whitaker of Jefferson City, MO, Joshua (Julie) Whitaker of Odessa, MO, and Kaitlinn (Shawne Gulledge) Whitaker of Columbus, IN; and great-grandchildren, Jackson, Emma, and Madison.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by his sons, Kenneth Michael Whitaker and Nicholas Alan Whitaker; brother, Charles and Herman; sisters, Gertrude, Mildred, Pauline, Mary Alice, and Edith; and dear niece, Carolyn (Ratcliff) Cole.

Family and friends will gather Monday, September 14, for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Bill will be laid to rest at Zionsville Cemetery.

You are invited to visit the website where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com.