Mr. Grady Boyd Whitley, 91, passed away at Hearthstone Assisted Living in Lake Jackson, Texas, Tuesday, July 24 2007. Grady was born January 23, 1916 at Moonshine Hill near Humble, Texas, to Harvey and Mary Lula (Rucker) Whitley. His father passed away with typhoid fever when Grady was only six years old and his mother supported the family teaching school. Grady had two brothers, Ray and Ralph, who are both deceased. As a child, Grady lived in San Marcos, Texas, and then the family moved to Vienna. Grady attended high school in Hallettsville. He loved sports and he participated in football, track and basketball. Following his graduation, he joined the navy and then married Margie Mae Wessels in 1939. He worked in the oil fields for a number of years and then settled in Old Kinkler where he and his wife operated a dairy farm and raised three daughters. In his spare time, he liked to deer hunt and was a member of the Munchison Masonic Lodge #80. In the late 40's Grady led a petition to consolidate Boethel School with Hallettsville Independent School District, and served on the school board for a number of years. Upon retiring from the dairy business, he raised cattle and took up a new hobby of raising parakeets. Grady and Margie moved to the city of Hallettsville in the early 80's. Margie passed away in 1993 following a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Grady continued to live in Hallettsville until February 2007 at which time he became a resident of Hearthstone Assisted Living in Lake Jackson. He was chosen resident of the month in June.

Grady is survived by his three daughters, Bonnye Kersh and husband Dean of Brazoria, Peggy Whitley of Clear Lake, and Maye Moncrief and husband Mel of Sugarland. Five grandchildren, Brannon and Ryan Moncrief of Houston, Kathy Kersh Wleczyk of Brazoria, Kim Kersh Graf and husband Phillip of Vernon, and Kendra Kersh Aucion and husband Wade of Brazoria. Six great grandchildren, Valerie and Kendall Wleczyk, Lance and Kelsey Graf, and Maci and Tori Aucion. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Maurine Whitley and Dulcie "Sity" Whitley and a host of nieces and nephews.

Service: 2 pm, Friday, July 27, 2007 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation: Noon, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home; with family receiving visitors from 5 pm to 7 pm that Thursday. Burial: Old Kinkler Cemetery. Officiate: Rev. Lundy Hooten. Pallbearers: Brannon and Ryan Moncrief, Kendall Wleczyk, Lance and Phillip Graf, and Wade Aucion. Honorary Pallbearers: the members of Munchison Masonic Lodge #80. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Old Kinkler Cemetery Association, 1462 CR 240, Hallettsville, Texas 77964; or the charity of your choice.