Bill Whittington, a longtime band director and music teacher who dedicated more than 30 years to educating students in the Southside and Batesville area, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026. He was 77.
Whittington was born January 29, 1949, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, to Lloyd and Mary Flo Cox Whittington.
For more than 30 years, Whittington worked as a music teacher and band director, helping generations of students develop their musical abilities while making a lasting impact on the Batesville community.
Teaching was more than a career for Whittington. His family described it as a way for him to serve, encourage and make a difference in the lives of others.
Whittington was also a faithful member of North Heights Church of Christ for 47 years, where he served as an elder. His faith and love of music were important parts of his life, and he frequently helped lead singing at the church.
He was known for his compassion, wisdom, precision and quick wit. Friends and family remembered him as someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand and spend time visiting with others.
Whittington enjoyed watching sports, including the Arkansas Razorbacks, Ohio State Buckeyes, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.
He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, working in the yard and singing.
Whittington lived in Batesville for more than 50 years with his wife, Nana Whittington. The couple married August 15, 1971.
Survivors include his wife, Nana Whittington; 1 son, William Whittington of Batesville; 1 daughter, Shelby Lillard and husband Jared of Maumelle; 2 sisters, Floris Holbrook of Yantis, Texas, and Brenda Paulk and husband Ike of Tomball, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Hunter Lillard, Avery Lillard, Chase Lillard, Wyatt Whittington, Tilly Whittington, Riley Whittington, Dustin Brown, Zachary Brown and Sara Mesec; and 6 great-grandchildren, Grayson Brown, Evie Brown, Caiden Brown, Paisley Hooten, J.J. Hooten and Vicki Hooten.
He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Whittington was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be William Whittington, Brock Paulk, Dallas Paulk, Brett Paulk, Daniel Evans and Josh Evans.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at North Heights Church of Christ. Steve Norris and Alex Mills will officiate, and Jay Bawcom will serve as eulogist.
Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until service time.
Burial will follow at Kyler Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Children’s Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.
Whittington’s decades of service to music education, his church and the Batesville community leave a legacy that will be remembered by generations of students, friends and family members.
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