Mr. Franklin Eugene "Gene" Whatley, age 75, of Cedartown, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012. He was born in Rockmart on August 7, 1937, the son of the late Bruce Edward Whatley and Lessie Mullinax Whatley.

He was a United States veteran having served in the Army Airborne and a retiree of General Motors. He was a member of Lindsey Chapel Church.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by brothers, Doyle Day and Charles Whatley.

Mr. Gene Whatley is survived by wife, Billie Faye Richards Whatley; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki Whatley Tillery and Mike Tillery; son, Richard Whatley. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and several loving nieces and nephews.

The graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, October 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at Polk Memory Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Nancy English and Mr. Jimmy Welchel officiating.

Full military rites will be conducted by Brewster-Cleveland American Legion Post #86 Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 19th, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Gammage Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are his grandsons, Blake Tillery, Brian Tillery, Jonathan Tillery, Eric Tillery, David Whatley, Daniel Whatley, Andrew Williams and Chris Wallace. Honorary pallbearer is granddaughter, Allyson Whatley.

The family has respectfully requested that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made to Georgia Eye Bank, 5605 Glenridge Dr. NE, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30342 or Heyman Hospicecare at Floyd, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 30162.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mr. Franklin Eugene "Gene" Whatley.