Chester B. Whatley
Cold War Submarine Veteran, Chester B. Whatley, age 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, September 17, 2022. He was born May 30, 1940 in Houston, Texas to Thelma Whatley and later adopted by Adam Whatley. He is married to the love of his life, Alice Whatley of Kerrville, Texas. He is survived by Alice; as well as his sons, Darrell Whatley and wife Patsy of Austin; Adam Whatley and wife Wendy of Escondido, California; John Whatley and wife Patricia of Round Rock; and daughter, Linda Matthews and husband Gary of Prosper, Texas. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Adam and Thelma Whatley and brother Wayne Whatley.
At the age of 18, Chet enlisted in the Navy. He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, as a Sonarman on numerous fast-attack submarines and surface craft (listed below) for 20 years.
After retiring from the Navy, he moved to Kerrville, Texas with Alice and bought Durrin's Dry Cleaners in 1989. He and Alice successfully grew their dry cleaning business throughout the hill country until retiring and selling the company.
He enjoyed traveling with his friends and considered himself a world traveler with too many countries to list here. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and flying. He even held a Commercial Instrument License and was very proud to be a pilot.
He served as a baseball coach and Scout leader as he was raising his kids.
He was Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Southwest Dry Cleaners Association and President of the San Antonio Dry Cleaners Association. He was also a long-time member of the Kerrville Lions Club and served on the Board of Directors. He was awarded Businessman of The Year by the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce and Best Boss by the Kerrville Daily Times. He was even a long time member of Ducks Unlimited.
Chet will be missed by not only his family, but many close friends.
Chet Whatley served at the following duty stations:
• NTC San Diego: April 1959 to June 1959
• ASW School San Diego: June 1959 to December 1959
• USS Ingersoll (DD-652): January 1960 to December 1961
• ASW School San Diego: January 1962 to February 1963
• USS Leary (DDR-879): March 1963 to September 1963
• USS Sierra (AD-18): September 1963 to December 1963
• USN Submarine Base New London, CT: December 1963 to February 1964
• FLT Sonar School Key West: February 1964 to June 1964
• USS Barb (SSN-595): September 1964 to March 1965
• USS Tiru (SS-416): March 1965 to June 1965
• NAV School Norfolk, VA: September 1965 to October 1965
• FLT Sonar School Key West: October 1965 to March 1969
• Naval Station Newport Rhode Island: March 1969 to June 1969
• USS Hawkbill (SSN-666): July 1969 to October 1969
• USS Pintado (SSN-672): October 1969 to June 1972
• Nav Sub Pearl Harbor: July 1972 to June 1976
• Com Sub Squadron 3: July 1976 to July 1978
Chet was a member of PC Stryker Jr Base of USSVI.
Sailor rest your oars.