William "Whit" Gallman

April 21, 2019

William Whitaker “Whit” Gallman left Charlotte and the Earth plane on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, to report back to his Heavenly Father on the completion of a 63-year mission serving others and exploring the mysteries of life. Whit was the son of Joe W. Gallman, Sr. of Boiling Springs, SC, and the late Leonora Gallman. He was born and grew up in Spartanburg, SC, graduated from the best university in SC (Clemson, in case you didn’t know), and spent 37 years as an engineer with Duke Energy. He was a lifelong United Methodist and a current member of Myers Park United Methodist Church.

Whit lived by the credo of “service to others, not to self”, spreading his resources of time, energy, knowledge and money through Habitat for Humanity, Myers Park UMC, and one to one support to folks who needed a helping hand or an automotive consultant. He took time to try out every barbecue place around and to spread silly jokes wherever he went. His interest in electric vehicles led him from Ford Focus to Tesla. He will be remembered for his generous and loving spirit, his beautiful bass singing voice, and his penchant for planning ahead for every possible contingency.

In addition to his father, Whit is survived by his siblings: Wayne Gallman and wife Yvonne; Nora Geddie and husband Ed; Mary Jane Gallman; his nieces and nephews; his dear friend Lisa Shingler, and many other friends and neighbors, who celebrate a life well lived and will miss him sorely.  

Services will be held at 11:00 AM in Jubilee Hall, Myers Park United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 4, 2019 with a BBQ reception for friends and family to follow the service. A private inurnment will be held separately.

An additional service will be held at Lakewood Senior Living Center in Boiling Springs, SC on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10:30 AM for the convenience of Whit’s father and SC connections.

The family requests that memorials be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church or Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.

 Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

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  • Rosemary Galt

    We were very sadden to read of Whit’s passing. We haven’t seen him in many years but remember him fondly whenever he and the Gallman kids would come over to just hang out at our house.
    This world will surely miss his wit, generosity and brilliance. Rest In Peace Gentle Giant, Love The Galts.

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  • Denise Sherbert Mabry

    Sweet memories of Whit at SHS. Sorry for the family and friends loss.

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  • Dick Cureton

    So sorry to hear about Whit. I knew him best when we were in high school. We shared common interests in science, mechanics, and cars. I think he was one of the four guys who drove to Florida to watch Apollo 17 blast off! May he Rest In Peace.

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  • Jackie Timms

    We are all saddened by the passing of Whit. We wish you all peace and good memories to get you through this difficult time. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love,
    Jackie Timms
    Landy Timms
    Sara Anne (Timms) McGetrick

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  • Steve Cannon

    Whit was one my second cousins and I always enjoyed seeing him grow up (and tall!!). He was a very smart and personable man and I admired his intellect and his science achievement. Joe, Wayne, Nora, and Mary Jane, I am so sorry for your loss. We all lost a good friend and relative. You all are in my prayers.

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  • Diane Walsh

    “Service to others” certainly describes the Whit I knew. My mother, who was in her 80’s, met Whit through church several years ago. The next thing my siblings and I knew, this person named Whit was helping my mother out with her PC, her oven, her car (dubbed “Little Red”) and anything else that needed fixing. Because my mother was on a fixed income, Whit often offered to assist with the cost of parts and refused compensation for his labor (he begrudgingly accepted gift cards from time to time). My mother was too proud to accept his generous offers to help with costs but I still believe Whit found a way to help her out behind the scenes. In addition to a being a great handyman, Whit was a steadfast, loyal, kind and humorous friend to my mother. She always spoke highly of their friendship. I have fond memories of meeting him on several occasions when I visited and he would show his sharp wit and his latest car. When my mother passed away in 2016, Whit bequeathed Little Red to another one of his friends in need. Whit was a wonderful person and my heart goes out to friends and family who knew and loved him. I like to think of my mother welcoming him with open arms in heaven.

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  • Clarence Broadway

    I'm still in shock at the news we lost Whit. I regret that I won't be able to attend any of his memorial services (I live in Connecticut now). We were childhood neighbors and friends on Springwood Drive in Spartanburg. We both became Engineers, he at Clemson and myself at NC State. I always followed and admired his adventurous vehicular choices. We were in contact a lot via the web in recent years and we were looking forward to seeing each other again when I visit SC again. I'm so sorry it can't happen now.

    May Whit rest in peace, and I hope you all find comfort in time.

    Clarence Broadway
    Norwalk CT

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  • Jean Robinson

    Whit was the "Diesel Guy" at Oconee NS for sure! What fun we had working on our old (REALLY OLD) Diesel Mercedes and telling diesel stories. I knew Whit before he graduated from Clemson and he was the best friend you could have. There is not enough space here to tell of things whit did for anyone and everyone who came his way. His work for Habitat was outstanding...as a VOLUNTEER he provided high-quality locksmith services, going all over to make sure the homeowners had security and safety!
    What a shock to get this obit just after the joy of EASTER! Like another cloud rolled over the sky!
    We loved you, Whit!

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  • Ray Kayler

    When I started with Duke in July 1989 fresh out of college, I was told that I was going to be responsible for the Emergency Diesel Generators at Catawba Nuclear Station. At the time, Whit was the fleet EDG engineer. He took me under his wings and became an unofficial EDG mentor. More importantly he became a good friend. Whit convinced me to use Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil in my vehicles when it wasn’t in vogue. The cars I now own came with Synthetic Oil. Over the years, Whit and I traveled many places together on business and to say the least there was never a boring trip. One I will never forget is when he convinced me to ride to Orlando for a conference in his diesel caddie. At the time it was his baby. Whit had a mnt/fuel consumption log that would make any system engineer proud. Well Whit got sick in Orlando so that left me behind the wheel of his baby. Fresh out of school with a radar detector, the only time the caddie wasn’t wide open were 3 rest stops and one “refueling” at a truck stop. Needless to say, the caddie was driven harder than it had ever been. The caddie survived for several more years until someone stole it and put unleaded gas in it.
    Unfortunately, in the last 14 months I have lost 2 very good friends that were my “diesel buddies”.
    Rest in peace my friend.

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  • Jill C. Eilenberger

    Whit was a great neighbor and YMCA friend. I will miss Whit. May he rest in peace.

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