William O. Whitford, 57, of Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil, a former Milton resident, associated with General Motors for the past 35 years, died Monday, Nov. 13, in a hospital in Sao Paulo. He had been in failing health for several months.
Mr. Whitford went to South America in 1951 when he became associated with General Motors Overseas Operation and had his headquarters in Sao Paulo. Since May 1, 1958, he was supply manager of the new General Motors plant in Sao Jose Dos Campos.
He was born in Milton April 10, 1904, the son of Milton C. and Myrtle Bleasdale Whitford. His grandfather, William C. Whitford, located in Milton in 1856 where he was pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church for two years before becoming the first president of Milton College, then known as Milton Academy. President Whitford was associated with the college for 44 years.
William O. Whitford attended Milton schools and the University of Wisconsin. He was a former president of Milton Historical Society.
Miss Ellen Nelson, Janesville, and Mr. Whitford were married in the St. Patrick Catholic Church rectory Oct. 28, 1926.
Surviving are his wife; a son, William N. Whitford, Milton; three daughters, Mrs. Robert Fetherston, Holland, Mich., Ruth Whitford, student at Dominican College, Racine, and Kathy Whitford, at home; five grandchildren, and a half-sister, Mrs. O. J. Olmstead, Janesville.
Services were to be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, in the Nelson-Schneider Funeral Home, Janesville, and at 9:30 o'clock in St. Mary Catholic Church, Milton. Burial will be in Milton Cemetery.
