Hulis “Dwayne” Whitted, age 88, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side. He was born in 1934 in Sevierville, TN to the late Perry Oscar and Loma Whitted. Beloved husband of Ethel for 68 years and dearest father of Veleta (Craig) Carpenter and Alan (Juliana) Whitted. Loving grandfather to Nina (Nick) Simon and Ashley Whitted and Nolan Whitted. Survived by brothers Ben and Tom. Predeceased by siblings Wilbur, James “Red,” Paul, Gene, Rex, Irene, Homer and Sammie.
Dwayne was born and raised on a farm in east Tennessee. He left in 1952 just after his 18th birthday with nothing but a pair of jeans, a denim shirt, and work boots in a paper bag. He only had two cents, which were the pennies in his loafers. He ended up in Cleveland in search of work in the auto industry. Not only did he find work, but he also met the love of his life, Ethel. They were married in 1954. In 1957 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fulda, Germany. He sold their car to pay for Ethel’s airline ticket so she could join him. They lived there and toured Europe every chance they got during his two-year assignment.
After a brief time with Ford Motor Company, he moved to Detroit and began a lengthy career at Chrysler Corporation. He started in 1965 as a tool engineer and retired in 1990 as a senior manager in Advanced Powertrain Engineering. He ended his career permanently in 2008 at the age of 74 after 14 years of operating the Detroit office of Aluminum Casting and Engineering Co. from his home office.
After 25 years in the suburb of Warren, he and Ethel built their home on a ten-acre parcel in Dryden where he cut and maintained a network of trails. For many years he walked two miles every day, in every kind of weather, often with his son or daughter joining him. Even when he needed a walker, he loved to get out on pavement and continued walking. He enjoyed riding his tractor to mow or plow snow. He was a woodworker and handyman who could fix just about anything. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren at their hockey, baseball, and soccer games, motocross, dance class and violin performances, including driving them to school or practices. Family meant everything to him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 1-8 p.m. and on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral service following at 11 a.m.; all at Muir Funeral Home, 2650 S. Van Dyke in Imlay City, MI. Burial will be made at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dryden.
Please share a story or photo on the Memory Page for Dwayne at www.muirfh.com
