William “Bill” Howard Whitaker, 80, of La Grande, died on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at his residence. A Service will be held at a later date.
Bill was born on January 31, 1940 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania to Charles and Rose (Donaldson) Whitaker. He resided in Orono, ME; Scranton, PA; Boise, ID and La Grande, OR. He married Anne Herdman in 1965. In 1997, he married Cheryl K. Simpson. Bill attended Ohio State University earning a Masters in Sociology, Atlanta University earning a MSW Masters in Social Work and Brandeis University Florence Heller School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare earning a PhD Welfare rights organizing – social welfare planning.
Bill was a Professor Emeritus Social Work at Boise State University. He enjoyed making beautiful gardens and cross-country walking. He participated in and earned recognition and awards from the following: 1986-89 & 1995-98 Outstanding Service: Council on Social Work Education Board of Directors; 1991 Food and Research Action Center (FRAC): Appreciation for Extraordinary Service: Campaign to End Childhood Hunger; University of Maine 1991 Presidential Public Service Achievement Award; 1992 NASW (National Association of Social Work) Maine Social Worker of the Year; 1992 Alumni Recognition Ohio State University Stadium Scholarship Dorm for outstanding career achievement and sustained community service; 1993 Maine Nutrition Council Katherine O. Musgrave Public Service Award; 1994-96 Member Board of Directors Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors; 1980s National Rural Social Work Caucus; 2002-2007 Recognition for Outstanding Service to Boise State University; 2006-2007 Social Worker of the Year, Idaho Chapter NASW; 2007 Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger IIRAH appreciation for “witness and vision”; and 2010-2011 Member Academy of Certified Social Workers NASW.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl; children, Heather Whitaker of Bellingham, WA and Ewan Whitaker (Carolyn) of Olympia, WA; sisters, Jeanie Morrow (Dale) of St. Ignatius, MT, Meredith McPherson of Rio Rancho, NM and Gretchen VanCamp of Harpers Ferry, WV; 2 grandchildren, Fiona Whitaker and Max Whitaker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Rural Organizing Project (ROP), PO Box 664 Cottage Grove, OR 97424.
“You say that nothing that I do avails
to tip the scales where justice
hovers in the balance
I have not thought to claim I could
But I reserve beyond dispute
My right to choose
Which side shall feel
The stubborn ounces of my weight”
(Anonymous)
“Don’t mourn
Organize”
(Joe Hill, Labor Songwriter)
“Passing Through”
Jamie Marshall
Refrain…
Passing through
Passing through
Sometimes happy
Sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me
Passing through