WILLIAM PAUL WHITSETT came to California from Pennsylvania in 1905 for health reasons.  He was instrumental is establishing the city of  Van Nuys, California, and helped open the San Fernando Valley through real estate development.  He bought a half-interest in a one square mile townsite in January 1911, and sub-divided it into residential parcels.  With the help of a friend, Harry Chandler, the subdivision was named "Van Nuys" with Whitsett's slogan  "Van Nuys --- The Town That Was Started Right".  It formally opened on Washington's Birthday (Feb. 22) in 1911.  Whitsett helped subdivide many other portions of San Fernando Valley land, creating cities and his personal fortune. Because he was a community-minded citizen, he served on the Metropolitan Water District, becoming its chairman in 1928.