Joseph Tallie Whitaker, Jr., age 85, of 400 Plantation Ridge Dr., died at his residence Saturday, February 28, 2015. A native of Americus, he was born July 18, 1929, the son of the late Joseph Tallie and Burksie Ridgeway Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, MB Council Lodge #13 F & AM and a past member of the Elks Club. He was a retired Master Sergeant from the Army National Guard and was the owner of Whitaker's Exon in Americus. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 2, 2015, at 11:00 AM at Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. Lawrence Wiggins and Rev. Bill Dupree officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Phoebe Sumter Hospice, P. O. Box 1434, Americus, Ga. 31709, Salem United Methodist Church, 903 Upper River Road, Americus, GA. 31709 or to the charity of one's choice. Survivors include his wife, Anetha Whitaker of Americus, two daughters and one step daughter and their spouses, Mary Elsie Castleberry of Rising Fawn, AL., Aimee and Phillip Hornsby of Iron City and Denice and Mike Cameron; four sons and two step sons and their spouses, David and Betsy Whitaker of Charleston, SC., Frank and Tricia Whitaker of Americus, Tommy and Jody Whitaker of Buena Vista, Scott and Pam Whitaker of Americus, Winston and Mendy Warner and Clay and Kim Warner; a sister, Elsie Schell of Americus and a sister-in-law, Jane Whitaker of Douglasville; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Hodges and Lawanna Whitaker of Albany, Douglas and Sue Whitaker of Griffin and Don Whitaker of Lake Sinclair; twenty one grandchildren and twenty one great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Underwood Smith and a brother, Dan Whitaker.