Earl Keith Whitney born on January 21, 1933, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a longtime resident of Santa Clara, Utah, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024, at the age of ninety-one.  A skilled carpenter and a man of many talents, Keith built his own home in Santa Clara, where he lived for 50 years. He was also mechanically gifted, enjoying auto body work and gardening as hobbies.

Keith graduated from Las Vegas High School, Class of 1951, and honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1955. Following his military service, he dedicated two years as a missionary in the Navajo Nation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 1955 to 1957.

In 1957, Keith married DeLila Gillespie in the St. George Utah Temple, and together they were blessed with nine children: Winona Davies (Fred), Earl (Ninfa), Lorraine, Howard (Heather, deceased), Mary Whitney, Onieda Lockwood (Curtis, deceased), Adam, Nathan (Ginger) and Heather Flake. DeLila passed away on June 13, 2006. He remarried Vira Blake in 2006, who passed away in 2014.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings, his cousins, both of his wives, DeLila and Vira, and his infant daughter, Lorraine. He was the last surviving grandchild of pioneers George B. Whitney and Lovina Syphus, who helped settle So. Nevada and St. George, leaving a legacy of faith and perseverance.

Keith will be remembered for his deep faith, his wit, and his kindness to neighbors and the community. He leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished and upheld by his extensive family and all who knew him.

A visitation will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Chapel, 630 Riesling Avenue, Santa Clara, Utah.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held Monday, May 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara City Cemetery, 1950 Ancestor Way, Santa Clara, Utah.

Keith Whitney Graveside Service Program