Lee Walter Whittaker, 73, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

Born in Worcester, MA, he was the son of the late Lee and Emma Jane Whittaker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Elizabeth McGovern, Barbara Chase and Judith Clay. He attended South High Community School, Holy Cross College, Resurrection College in Kitchener, Ontario, Gloucester Monastery, and Atlantic University in Florida. Lee was a Corporal with the US Marine Corps and Purple Heart recipient during Vietnam. He was the first K-9 Unit Police Officer with the City of Oakland Park, FL. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Knight Mason, charter member of Veritas Lodge #769, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #81, Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree, Marine Corps League, NRA member, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Affairs, and the American Legion. He served as a past president of the Booster Club of Franklin High School, Chaplain of Junaluskee Lodge #145, Past President of Smoky Mountain Shrine Club, Past Venerable Master of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Past High Priest of York Right Mason #95, Chaplain of Glenville Lodge #551, Chaplain of Blue Ridge Lodge #435.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Natalie Whittaker of Franklin; three children, Natalie Whittaker of Franklin, Lee W. Whittaker (Courtney) of Newton, NC and Paul R. Whittaker (Dana) of Mills River, NC; two sisters, Beverly Griffin of Lester, MA and Susan Gilchrist of Whitinsville, MA; two grandchildren, Ethan and Madison Whittaker and fourteen nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 13, 2019 in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 14th in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC.

The family will receive friends from 2-3 pm, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

The family respectfully requests no flowers be sent and would prefer donations to be made to either Smoky Mountain Shrine Club, c/o Andrew Norton, 274 Crestview Heights, Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 460 – 0396 or VVA Chapter #994, 249 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734 (828)369-7890.