Representative Charles Orville Whitley

Charles Orville Whitley served as a Representative from North Carolina in the United States Congress from 1977 to 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, Charles Orville Whitley contributed to the legislative process during 5 terms in office.

Charles Orville Whitley’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Charles Orville Whitley participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Charles Orville Whitley (January 3, 1927 – October 27, 2002) was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1977 and 1986. Born in Siler City, North Carolina, Whitley attended Siler City High School, graduating in 1943. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946, then attended Wake Forest University, earning his undergraduate degree in 1949 and a law degree in 1950. He earned an M.A. from the George Washington University in 1974. Whitley became a lawyer and practiced in Mount Olive, North Carolina. There he taught business law classes at Mount Olive Junior College. He became the town’s attorney in 1961; that same year, he joined the staff of Congressman David N. Henderson. In 1976 Whitley ran for Congress himself and was elected as a Democrat to the 95th United States Congress. Re-elected four times (serving in Congress from January 3, 1977 to December 31, 1986). His Republican opponent in the 1982 midterm election was Eugene McDaniel, a former Naval Aviator and Vietnam War POW, whom he defeated 63–36%. He did not seek re-election in 1986, but retired to political consulting. Whitley died in Durham, North Carolina in 2002. Whitley was the grandfather of civil rights activist, Annie E. Clark.