WILLAUER, Whiting R. - Nantucket lost a tireless public servant and community member late Friday night, July 13, 2012 with the passing of Whiting Russell Willauer, known to everyone on the island simply as "Whitey." He was 81.
Willauer, a member of the Board of Selectmen and numerous other town committees and island organizations, died peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital at 10:25 p.m. Friday night, surrounded by his sons, Skip and Will, and his sister Sally Nash.
Last week Willauer was transported from Nantucket to Mass General by MedFlight helicopter and was preparing for heart bypass surgery, but he developed an infection and the surgery was put on hold, according to his son Skip. Willauer subsequently contracted pneumonia, and he was placed in the ICU as his condition deteriorated rapidly.
He is survived by his children Whiting “Skip” R. Willauer Jr of Wellesley and William “Will” A. Willauer of Nantucket, a sister Sally Willauer Nash of Nantucket and grandchildren Benjamin Russell Willauer and Charlotte Arundel Willauer.
A service will be held Friday, July 20, at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Nantucket. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your favorite island Charity.