Whitmore, William Kendal Jr.

Age 92, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on August 10, 2026. Bill spent many of his 92 years as the president of Ware Manufacturing, but his greatest love was his family, for whom he would do anything. Bill was the first to volunteer to fix something that broke, lend you his car, pick you up, or give you a pen with his name on it. But perhaps his greatest trait was being your best cheerleader for whatever venture you might try.

Bill met the love of his life, Barbara, in Colorado and they were married for 62 years. Bill loved golfing, putzing around at the lake, and enthusiastically sharing his latest home-product discovery, whether it was a fake security camera or tap lights for the hallway. His gentle humor, generous heart, and unwavering love for his family made him deeply special to everyone who was fortunate enough to be part of his life. Bill had a gift for bringing light to the people he cherished most. To know Bill was to feel loved, encouraged, and lucky to share in his world.

He will be deeply missed by Barbara; his children Mark Whitmore (Pamela), his daughter Marnee Shepard (Steve Shepard -dec. 2014); and his five grandchildren Maddie Graves (Tony Graves), Will Whitmore (fiancée Karlye Fuller), Ben Shepard, John Whitmore (Claire Grazzini), and Nora Shepard. Instead of sending flowers, Bill would prefer that you lend a hand to someone in need, send a memorial to a worthy cause like Sharing and Caring Hands (www.sharingandcaringhands.org), the Down’s Syndrome Association of Minnesota (www.dsamn.org), or another of your choosing. A private family interment will be held in the fall.