Russell Whitley, age 81, passed away with his family by his side on June 26, 2017, at his home in Winner, SD.
Russell Oliver Whitley was born on April 23, 1936 in Burke, SD. Russ was the eldest of 5 children born to Oliver (Spec) and Dorthy (Ticknor) Whitley. Russ attended school in Nebraska and graduated from Naper High School. At the age of 15 he had his first job hauling propane for his dad. He then worked road construction in the summers and hauled propane in the winters. On Oct. 29, 1954, Russ married his life partner & high school sweetheart Sandra Jons in Bonesteel, SD. They were blessed with 4 daughters and 1 son. In 1962 Russ and Sandy moved to Burke where Russ began his career in the beer business, first as a semidriver for B & M Distributing then into the management position where their joint careers in the beer business began. Russ also was the first paid Deputy Sheriff for Gregory Countys. In 1967 B & M Distributing sold to Ober Torvik of Pierre. He moved the business to Winner and renamed it Torvik Distributing, managed by Russ (selling only Hamm’s and Falstaff and eventually Miller brands). This is also the same time that Russ moved his family to Winner. In 1969, Myron and Mable Kusler of Pierre, bought Torvik Distributing renaming it Whitley Central Distributing, still managed by Russ. In 1973 Russ and Sandy became the proud owners of Whitley Central Distributing, leaving the name the same. Also in 1973, Pabst brands were added. 1974, G. Heileman brands were added. In 1978 they purchased Nesbitt Bottling Co. acquiring the Schlitz brands. In 1982, Whitley Central Dist. became the first Coors Distributor appointed in the state of SD. In 2000, Mikes Hard Lemonade brands were added and 2001, Smirnoff brands were added. Through the years more brands were added including many imports, water, pop, and meat snacks.
He was a past President of the South Dakota Beer Wholesalers Association May 1, 2008, Russ and Sandy sold the business to Jerome Beverage in Pierre and retired after 46 years in the beer business.
Russ and Sandy enjoyed camping and traveling and spending time following their grandchildren to all their sporting events. They travelled to most of the states including Alaska and Hawaii and also traveled abroad to the Bahamas, Mediterranean, Turkey, Italy, Venice, and Greece.
Russ joined the Winner Volunteer Fire Dept. on Aug. 1, 1968 and served tirelessly for 28 years, 6 of those years serving as Assistant Fire Chief. After the sale of the beer businesses and retirement in 2008 of which Russ enjoyed immensely he continued serving by becoming a volunteer to drive veterans to doctor appointments to various parts of the state. Russ did this until a year ago when his health kept him from doing so.
Russ was also a member of the WELS Synods of various Lutheran Churches in Nebraska and South Dakota.
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