Willard F. "Bill" Whitney, 91, of Elizabethtown, PA, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital.

He was the husband of Ruth L. Gleason Whitney, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage this past April 22 ^nd . Born in Winfield, NY, he was the son of the late Willard F. and Augusta Hirt Whitney.

Bill had been with the New York City Police Dept. for 27 years until his retirement with the rank of Lieutenant in 1971.

A 32 degree Mason, He was the Past Worshipful Master of Alcyone Lodge 695 in Northport, NY, the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the Empire State Masons in New York City, NY, and the Past Potentate of Kismet Mosque  of Long Island, NY. He was also an Associate Member of the Bahia Mosque in Orlando, Florida.

Bill was a graduate of the Baruch School of the City College of New York. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater.

In addition to his wife, Ruth, he is survived by his children: Willard F. married to Margaret Whitney of Wyckoff, NJ, Pamela  J. married to Joseph Rakoski of Mechanicsburg, and Peter J. married to Kimberley Whitney of Charlotte, NC; his 7 granddaughters and by his 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, George F.  Whitney and George's fiancée, Kathleen Shea.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 10-11AM at the Sell Chapel of the Masonic Village, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM, the Rev. Margaret Rohnacher officiating. Interment will be 11AM on Friday at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bill's memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory 560-5100