Tony Ray Whisenant

Tony Ray Whisenant, age 59, died Monday, July 25, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was born at Epworth Hospital in Liberal, Kansas on January 17, 1963. He was the son of Nancy Watson of Perry, Georgia and the late Joe Whisenant of Liberal, Kansas. Tony was unique. He unapologetically marched to the beat of his own drum. He was a talented artist, poet and photographer and a devoted family genealogist, who spent years tracing his family linage, which was quite impressive. A direct descendant of several early colonial settlers and Kings and Queens of Europe, it was his pioneering ancestors who came west and settled in Oklahoma that he was most proud of being a descendant of. When he was a little boy, he loved going to the family farm with his grandfather and hearing stories about life on the farm in the first half of the 20th century. When he later inherited his share of the farm, he would walk the dirt roads, taking photos of golden fields of wheat and beautiful prairie sunsets. He had an idyllic small-town childhood in his beloved hometown of Liberal and never wanted to live anywhere else. Tony was an avid history buff. He also loved old cars, buildings and homes, admiring the craftsmanship and architecture of the past. But most of all, Tony loved his family and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Maria, his children; Traci Antrim and Preston Whisenant of Liberal, and Samantha (Sammie) Whisenant of Hays, Kansas, grandchildren; Kaydence and Elias, sister Diana Hunter of Woodstock, Georgia, and several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and in-laws. Sadly, Tony will not be here for the arrival of another granddaughter in September. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Monday, August 1, 2022, at the Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas. The family will be present from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM to receive friends. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Hornung Family Funeral Home Chapel, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas. Memorial Donations suggest to St. Judes Children’s Hospital in care of Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas