Guyon Eugene "Gene" Whitten, Jr.

Guyon Eugene (Gene) Whitten, 87, formerly of Inman, South Carolina passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026 at NHC Healthcare in Greer, South Carolina.

Born in Guilford County, North Carolina on December 22, 1938, he was a son of the late Margaret (Rock) Whitten and Guyon E. Whitten, Sr. and was the husband of the late Mildred Sue (Cook) Whitten having celebrated 57 years of marriage before her passing in May of 2026.

He was a graduate of Thomasville High School and Davidson College. He enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and received his commission at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He was assigned as a Flight Officer to the VR-3 Squadron, a part of the Military Airlift Command (MATS) at McGuire AAir Force Base in Wrightstown, New Jersey. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. He achieved the rank of Lt. USNR and was honorably discharged in 1969 having served four years on active duty.

He was employed with Milliken and Company for twenty years and served in manager positions at many locations. He accepted a management position with the Woven Electronics Company in Greenville, South Carolina. He served as Vice-President and General Manager of one division and later the same duties in another division. In addition, he was the co-owner, with his wife, of Ace Hardware of Boiling Springs, Inc. in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Retiring after 25 years of ownership, the business was sold in 2010. After retirement, served as a SCORE Mentor for six years.

He is survived by two sons, Stuart Whitten and his wife Emily and Mark Whitten and his wife Keaton; and daughter, Suzanne Lockwood; seven grandchildren, Annabelle Whitten Durden and her husband Drew, Andrew Whitten, Rebecca Whitten, Daniel Whitten, Silas Whitten, Coraline Whitten and Isaac Lockwood along with two brothers, David R. Whitten and John P. Whitten.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Paul Lockwood and one brother, Sephen L. Whitten. 

Funeral service arrangements will be announced when finalized.