Elzy Whiteley, age 91, of Brownwood, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Visitation will be held from 6-8PM on Sunday, October 26, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral services for Elzy will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, October 27, in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Elzy, “Papa” was born on July 18, 1934 in Oplin to Lula and Floyd Elzy Whiteley. He joined the Army in 1952 and was deployed to Germany where he drove a tank. Elzy married Wanda Wallace, who was a cherished mom and nanny on November 10, 1956. Elzy and Wanda became proud parents to Kalan Diane and Jalan Lynn on July 3, 1958. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Elzy worked for Texico INC where he drove a truck until he retired. While at Texico, he earned his 2-million-mile safe driving reward in 1993 and earned the respect of colleagues and supervisors alike. Elzy and Wanda had a deep love for the outdoors where there were countless camping trips full of fun and laughter on the lake or on the coast and untold hunting trips. Papa and Mom were big Astros fans attending many of the games in Houston. Elzy loved playing guitar in many truck rodeos and churches. His family loved him playing and singing at family gatherings, especially “Found a Peanut”. Elzy and Wanda were deeply involved with the youth of Odem Bible Baptist Church, where they taught sport activities and events which brought kids together and left a lasting impact on many young lives. Elzy’s deep love of the Lord continued to his later life. He loved giving Bible studies at CARE Nursing and Rehab where he was treated like family.
Elzy is survived by his daughters, Kalan Diane Whiteley Harvy and Jalan Lynn Whiteley Murphy; 7 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; and best friend and companion who became family, Ann Cleary.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Lynn Whiteley; parents, Floyd and Lula Whiteley; brother, Everette Whiteley; 3 sisters, Winnie McGee, Bobby Davis, and Fayann Keith.
