Paul W. Whaley

Paul Warner Whaley, of Gretna, Nebraska, passed away on the morning of May 22, 2026, at the age of 77. He was born in Lawrence, Kansas on June 6, 1948, to Ralph and Ermal Whaley. After graduating from Lawrence High School, he attended Emporia State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, Speech and Theatre in 1970 and a Master of Arts in 1972. It was at Emporia State that he met Deborah Thrune, who would become his wife of 56 years.

Paul began his career in the theatre he loved. He served as an instructor and technical director of theatre at Hiram College in Ohio and at Morehead State University, and later became an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Design at the University of Nebraska, where he began doctoral studies in theatre design.

In 1979, following the deaths of his father and his brother, Paul set aside that path and returned to Lawrence to care for his mother and the family farm, a decision that reflected the devotion that would define his life. He followed Christ’s calling, moving into financial advising and planning. He and Deborah made their home in Beatrice, Nebraska, in the summer of 1992, and there he served as a financial advisor at Beatrice National Bank which later became Pinnacle Bank. Prior to retiring, he was an advisor with Cambridge Investment Research.

In Beatrice, Paul gave himself wholeheartedly to the community. He was a devoted member of his church and directed its Christmas performances year after year. He served on the board of the Beatrice Educational Foundation from 1993 to 2022, where his vision and tireless effort helped transform the organization, growing its endowment and expanding its mission from awarding scholarships to supporting teachers, students, after-school programs, and the wider community. In recognition of that legacy, he was named a Friend of the Beatrice Educational Foundation. Later, he and Deborah moved to Gretna, Nebraska, to be closer to family.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah; his son, Chris Whaley, and daughter-in-law, Mona Whaley; his daughter, Dana Haecker, and son-in-law, Nathan Haecker; and five cherished grandchildren: Charlotte and Catherine Whaley, and Sydney, Joshua, and Caleb Haecker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ermal Whaley, and his siblings, Robert Whaley and Patricia Whaley.

Memorial Service 10:30 AM Monday (6/1/2026) at Journey Church 20020 Hampton Dr. Gretna, NE.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel - 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090

www.RoederMortuary.com