Billy Frank "Red" Whitaker, age 94, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020, at his residence. He was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, on May 9, 1926, to the late Luther Lee and Della Polly Williams Whitaker. He was a member of Unity Christian Church and worked for the Cynthiana Police Department. After the police department, he worked at Blake and Johnson Manufacturing, where he retired. He enjoyed farming, University of Kentucky basketball and his John Deere lawn mower. He loved fishing, camping, horses and spending time with his family.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by: a son, Russell Lee Whitaker; his first wife, Mary Francis Sosbe Whitaker; and six sisters, Dorothy Lee Fuller, Marjorie Gibson, Eva Gaudet, Betty Donovan, Mary Whitaker and Martha Whitaker. He is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Ellen Louise Withers Whitaker; three daughters, Beverly Ann Wills, Lisa (Ronnie) Carol Bowens and Sandra Lee Avery; a brother, Luther Lee Whitaker, Jr.; a sister, Peggy Ellen Whitaker; nine grandchildren, Mary Lee Wills, Billy Wills, Tonya Wills, Gregory May, Amanda Rogers, Michael May, Billy Joe Avery, James Lee Avery and Timothy Alan Avery; and seven great-grandchildren, Gracelyn Wills, Andrew Wills, Brookelynn Jean Hampton, Mary Jane Rogers, Allison Carol May, Jacob Avery and Michael Avery.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, at Ware Funeral Home, officiated by Red's nephew, Gary Fuller. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at Battle Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Unity Christian Church, 5848 KY Highway 36 West, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031; or Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1317 US Highway 36 East, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031. Pallbearers will be Gregory May, Amanda Rogers, Michael May, Billy Avery, Timothy Avery, James Avery, Clarence Rogers and Billy Wills.

Source: Ware Funeral Home website at warefuneralhome.com