Howard Orton Whelpley

1919 - 2006  (86 years)

• Name	Howard Orton Whelpley
  	— Auto Mechanic
  Birth	13 Jun 1919	Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A.   [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
  	Birth Record of Howard Orton Whelpley
  Census	1920 (0 years)	Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A.   [12]
  In the 1920 US Census he was recorded, aged 6 months, on 16 Union Street, Northfield, Vermont while living with his mother and her maternal grandparents.
  History	24 Oct 1929 (10 years)	Black Thursday, Great Depression Begins
  Census	1930 (10 years)	Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [2]
  In the 1930 US Census he was recorded, aged 10, as living on Joy Street, Boston, Massachusetts while living with his parents.
  Census	1940 (20 years)	Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [3]
  In the 1940 US Census he was recorded, age 20, while living with his parents at 37 Jay Street, Boston, Massachusetts. He was listed as a mechanic.
  Draft Reg	16 Oct 1940 (21 years)	Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [8]
  He registered for the draft giving his address as 37 Joy Street, Boston, Massachusetts; his age as 21, and his employer as Edward H. Whelpley, his father. His address was later changed to 3629 Petersham Road, Athol, Massachusetts.
  	World War II Draft Registration Card of Howard Orton Whelpley
  History	7 Dec 1941 (22 years)	Attack on Pearl Harbor
  Military	say 1942 (22 years)
  Mr. Whelpley was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He served on two amphibious repair ships the USS Billerrphon and the USS Krishna.
  	Howard O. Whelpley in Uniform
  Census	1950 (30 years)	Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [13]
  In the 1950 US Census, he was recorded, age 30, living on 1079 Pleasant Street, Athol, Massachusetts. He was an auto mechanic working in a garage.
  Organization	1961 (41 years)	Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [7]
  He joined the Star Lodge of the Masons in 1961. He was a resident of Northfield, Massachusetts at the time.
  	Membership Card of Howard Orton Whelpley
  Residence	Mar 1964 (44 years)	Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [14]
  He lived in Athol, Massachusetts at the time of his father, Edward Whelpley's death.
  History	20 Jul 1969 (50 years)	Moon Landing
  History	11 Sep 2001 (82 years)	Attack on World Trade Center and Pentagon
  Death	21 Mar 2006	Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15]
  He died at home. [15]
  Obituary	22 Mar 2006 (86 years)  [15]
  Howard O. Whelpley ATHOL - Howard O. Whelpley, 86, of 1079 Pleasant St., died Tuesday March 21, 2006, at home. He was born in Northfield, VT, on June 13, 1919. the son of the late Edward E. H. and the Late Evelyn (Seymour) Whelpley. He grew up in Boston living on Beacon Hill for 21 years. He graduated from Boston English High School. Mr. Whelpley was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He served on two amphibious repair ships the USS Billerrphon and the USS Krishna. He was known as "Mr. Buick," he operated Taylor Buick for many years, he also operated Howard's Plymouth in Athol for over 15 years retiring in 1981. He was a member and past exalted ruler of the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks 1837. He was a former member of the Athol American Legion Post No. 102. He was a member of the Starrett United Methodist Church. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Ruth A. (Welch) Whelpley; three sons, Dennis E. Whelpley and his wife Patricia, of Athol, Cary A. Whelpley and his wife Donna, of Pepperell, Neil E. Whelpley and his wife, Dawn of Townsend' two daughters, Carole A. Welsh and her husband, Gene, of Chelfmsford, Judith A. McNamara and her husband, David, of Pittsburgh, PA; two sisters. Elaine Kolinski and Louise Whelpley both of Stoughton, MA; two brothers, Rance Whelpley of Houston, TX, Richard Whelpley of Athol; 13 grandchildren, Jeff Whelpley, Craig Walsh, Deanna Reynolds, Debra Bradley, Jennifer Wetherby, Jill Sacovitch, Katie Bennett, Patrick Walsh, Elizabeth McNamara, Allison McNamara, Kathleen McNamara, Nicole Whelpley, Ryan Whelpley; 14 Great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Herman Whelpley and Lee Whelpley. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 24, at 11:30 a.m. in the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main St. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Calling house will be held Thursday March 23, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. Published by The Athol Daily News, 22 March 2006
  Burial	24 Mar 2006	Highland Cemetery, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Highland Cemetery, Athol, Massachusetts   [4, 11, 15]
  Siblings	4 brothers and 2 sisters
  1. Louise Evelyn Whelpley,   b. 4 Jul 1917, Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. d. 9 Sep 2006  (Age 89 years) > 2. Howard Orton Whelpley,   b. 13 Jun 1919, Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. d. 21 Mar 2006, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  (Age 86 years) ▻ Ruth Adeline Welch,  m. 1941 > 3. Herman Edward Whelpley,   b. 20 Jul 1921, Washington, Orange County, Vermont, U.S.A. d. 20 Nov 1998, Athens, Henderson County, Texas, U.S.A.  (Age 77 years) ▻ Grace Agnes Barry,  m. 8 Mar 1944 > 4. Lee Alfred Whelpley,   b. 24 Jan 1923, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. d. 13 Aug 1999, Duarte, Los Angeles County, California, U.S.A.  (Age 76 years) ▻ Evelyn Patton > 5. Elaine Whelpley,   b. 4 Mar 1926, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. d. 27 Aug 2016, Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  (Age 90 years) ▻ Julian James Kolinski,  m. 1949 > 6. Rance Joseph Whelpley,   b. 29 Dec 1929, Massachusetts, U.S.A. d. 29 May 2007, Webster, Harris County, Texas, U.S.A.  (Age 77 years) ▻ Geraldine Ann Mroz,  m. 11 Dec 1955 + 7. Richard William Whelpley,   b. 20 Jan 1932, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. d. 21 Aug 2012, Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  (Age 80 years)
  Patriarch & Matriarch	Edward Wakeley,   b. 1510, Lenham, Kent, England d. —, Lenham, Kent, England   (11 x Great Grandfather)  Mary Holt,   b. Berlin, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A.   (2 x Great Grandmother)
  Person ID, Branch	I11221
  Last Modified	18 Feb 2026

  
  

  Father	Edward Horace Whelpley,   b. 1 Sep 1895, Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. d. 7 Mar 1964, Brighton, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, U.S.A. A neighborhood in Boston (Age 68 years)
  Mother	Grace Evelen Seymour,   b. 1 Nov 1893, Berlin, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. d. 18 Mar 1990, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (Age 96 years)
  Family ID	F971	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Spouse / Partner	Ruth Adeline Welch,   b. 14 Jun 1920, Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. d. 11 Feb 2012, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (Age 91 years)
  Marriage	1941	Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.   [16, 17, 18]
  Age at Marriage	He : ~ 21 years and 6 months - She : ~ 20 years and 6 months.
  Children	1943  [13, 15]
  1. Dennis E. Whelpley 2. Carol A. Whelpley 3. Cary A. Whelpley 4. Neil E. Whelpley 5. Judith Whelpley
  Family ID	F9319	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	17 Feb 2026

  
  

• Pedigree

  ← Click to display 1Howard Orton Whelpley(1919 – 2006) 2Edward Horace Whelpley(1895 – 1964) 4Horace William Whelpley(1870 – 1896) 8Captain David C. Whelpley(1833 – 1883) 16William Whelpley(1805 – 1873) 17Hannah Malone(Abt 1816 – ) 9Harriet Jane Pangbourne(1834 – 1892) 18Captain Richard Panghorn 19Amy Baker(1798 – 1837) 5Esther Agnes Matthews(1874 – 1964) 10Joseph Matthews(Abt 1851 – ) 20James Matthew(Abt 1813 – ) 21Amelia(Abt 1823 – ) 11Eliza Pareau or Pratt(Abt 1852 – 1888) 22Joseph Pareau 23Esther Salvis 3Grace Evelen Seymour(1893 – 1990) 6Francis Xavier Seymour(1869 – 1933) 12Charles Seymour(1844 – 1913) 24Isaac Seymour 25Rachel 13Mary Rose(1844 – ) 26Eleazer Rose 27Leonara 7Ellen M. Hill(1870 – 1951) 14Marlin Ebenezer Hill(1831 – 1909) 28Ebenezer Hill, Jr.(1801 – 1874) 29Ruth Wheeler(1812 – 1891) 15Evaline Melvina LeCroix(1838 – 1922) 30Joseph Le Clair 31Mary Holt

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 13 Jun 1919 - Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. Census - 1920 - Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, U.S.A. Census - 1930 - Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Census - 1940 - Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Draft Reg - 16 Oct 1940 - Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Marriage - 1941 - Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Census - 1950 - Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Organization - 1961 - Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Residence - Mar 1964 - Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Death - 21 Mar 2006 - Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Burial - 24 Mar 2006 - Highland Cemetery, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  
  

• Sources 🟢 Primary Evidence 🟡 Secondary Evidence 🟠 Tertiary Evidence 🔴 Unreliable Evidence

  [S26] Bureau of the Census, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010). Year: 1920; Census Place: Northfield, Washington, Vermont; Roll: T625_1875; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 97; Image: 411 [S20] Bureau of the Census, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002). Year: 1930; Census Place: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; Roll: 943; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 0085; Image: 1228.0; FHL microfilm: 2340678 [S21] Bureau of the Census, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012). Year: 1940; Census Place: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1661; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 15-139 [S14] Ancestry.com, Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current® http://findagrave.com, (Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Memorial ID 75603688 Howard O. Whelpley . [S2173] Vermont, Birth Records, 1909-2008, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), Birth Record of Howard Orton Whelpley. [S10] Social Security Administration, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011). [S245] Massachusetts, Mason Membership Cards, 1733-1990, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013), Membership Card of Howard Orton Whelpley. [S1587] Ancestry.com, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, (Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), Draft Registration Card of Howard Orton Whelpley. [S114] Ancestry.com, U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006). [S101] Social Security Administration, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015). [S15] National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2019, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006). [s26] Bureau of the Census, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010). Year: 1920; Census Place: Northfield, Washington, Vermont; Roll: T625_1875; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 97; Image: 411 [S2303] Bureau of the Census, 1950 U.S. Federal Census, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 20212), National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Athol, Worcester, Massachusetts; Roll: 3375; Page: 16; Enumeration District: 14-14. [S2176] Obituary of Edward H. Whelpley, (Boston: Boston Globe, 8 March 1964, Page 67). [S2362] Obituary of Howard O. Whelpley, (Athol, Massachusetts: The Athol Daily News, 22 March 2006, page 2). [S247] New England Historic Genealogical Society, Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970, (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013). [S2045] U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current, (Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011). [S2363] Obituary of Ruth A, Whelpley, (Athol, Massachusetts: The Athol Daily News, 13 February 2012, page 2).