Jimmie Royce “Jim Roy” Whatley, II, of DeQuincy, passed away at the age of 71, in Phelan, Calif. (Los Angeles, Calif.) on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He was born to his parents, Jimmie Royce Whatley and the late Elizabeth Anne Perkins Whatley on Jan. 19, 1954. Jim Roy graduated from DeQuincy High School with his class of 1972 and during this time, he, along with Otha Green, Jeff Hodges, Steve McQueen, Wally Wilson and Ned Alexander, began the first live music Rock Band to play for dances in DeQuincy at the “Old Rec” in the 1970s. Jim Roy enjoyed Live Music and singing, which was a big part of his life as he was a self-taught guitarist who also taught private guitar lessons.
After graduation from DeQuincy High School, he attended McNeese State University to pursue a career in Mass Communications/Radio and Television and during this time, worked for KPLC Television Station before moving to Houston, Texas and continued his career in Television production at KRVI Channel 26 and KUHT- Channel 8-PBS, then moved to Los Angeles, Calif. and worked for KHSC Channel 46 and KHIZ Channel 64.
He is survived by his dad, Jimmie Royce Whatley; sisters, Lisa Marie Whatley Hudson and brother in law Gary Hudson of Sulphur, Angela Whatley Duplechin and brother in law Todd Duplechin of Moss Bluff; brother, Louis Daniel Whatley of Dallas, Texas; along with nephews, B. J. Yellott and wife Jamie Yellott of Ragley and Todd Steven Yellott of Lake Charles; great nephews, Bowdy and Jackson Yellott; along with numerous surviving cousins.
The family would like to thank and acknowledge Funeraria Del Angel Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles, Calif. and -Hixson-Snider Funeral Home of DeQuincy for their care and advisement.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Oak Street Recreation Center “Old Rec” in DeQuincy given Jim Roy’s love of music.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jim Roy Whatley’s name to either the DeQuincy High School Band or the DeQuincy High School Choir.
(Paid Memorial)
