William was born on September 14, 1947, to Luther T. White and Viola H. (Willard) White, at home, in Low Wassie, Missouri. He graduated from Winona High School and was drafted into the Vietnam War shortly after. He served actively in the Army from March 1970 overseas through 1971, and was later Honorably Discharged from the Army in March 1976, with several medals, bars, badges, and awards.
After service, William worked for a large Ink Factory in Chicago, Illinois. He later came back to Missouri to work at the Winona Pole mill. During leisure time, he enjoyed playing Pinochle with family and friends, where he met Mary Woodworth.
William White and Mary (Woodworth) White were joined in marriage on Tuesday, August 14, 1973. Bill and Mary worked for years in the wood milling industry together. He retired from Smith Flooring in Mountain View, Missouri. He was always content in his work and family life, telling family, “I worked hard for my wife and kids, and that’s just enough for me.”
Outside of work, if Bill was not home “keeping that fire built up,” you would find him working in his yard or garden. If you knew Bill White, you knew that grass was cut, and the garden didn’t know what weeds were, and if it was cool outside, you knew it was VERY WARM in Bill White’s House. He liked fishing and hunting and looked forward to the days when the family gathered for barbecues, fish fries, and bonfires. It was no surprise to find him playing games with the kids, and “Pawpa Bill always had to share his yummy treats.” That always brought such a smile to his face. He was one in a million, no doubt, and will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Pascal White and Luther White Jr.; and sisters, Kathy White, Sharron Huddleston, and Jeanie White.
William is survived by his wife, Mary White; daughter, Kimberly White of Winona MO; son, Jessie (Tina Adams) White of Montgomery City and Warrenton MO; grandchildren, Justin White, Ashley (Michael) Harlan, Addyson Noris, and Josh Craven; great-grandchildren, Hope, Emma, and Kaylin Harlan; sister, Sandra (Vernon) Swofford; brother, Bob White; nieces, Debra (Don) Nicholas, Alicia Woodworth, Cassie (Brian) Tanner, and Mashawna Arvin; nephews, Frank (Karen) Woodworth, Royce (Ashley) Woodworth, William Woodworth, and Cody Woodworth; great-nephews and nieces, Gary Toy, Jennifer Tripp, Warren Woodworth, Matthew Tanner, Kayla, Aleiah, Mariah, and Anthony Woodworth; and several cousins.
