Obituary of William J. White

William Joseph White passed away on July 5, 2007. Bill was born in Conesus, New York on March 17, 1931 to Milford and Margaret MacFarland White. Bill attended Alfred University in 1949, where he majored in Animal Husbandry. He joined the Navy in 1951 and became an aviator. While stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, Bill married Carolyn Gersch on December 20, 1955. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1960 at Texas A&M University. He earned a Master of Science in Biology at Texas A&I. He taught at Driscoll Junior High in Corpus Christi before moving his family to Pearland. Mr. White taught science at Pearland High School for 24 years. Bill was head of the Science Department, Student Council Sponsor, and designer and builder of drama sets. Bill enjoyed Texas Aggie football and was a season ticket holder for 47 years. Bill was a member of First Baptist Church in Pearland, taught Sunday School at Pearland United Methodist Church, and most recently attended Pearland Church of Christ. Bill attained the rank of Commander, US Navy Reserves. Highlights from his navy career include tours aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier where he flew AD Skyraiders. He was Skipper of Squadron VP-94 at NAS New Orleans. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, also a teacher. Bill is survived by his companion of 14 years and wife of 2 years, Joyce Howard-White. Bill is also survived by his brothers Richard K. White and Robert White, both of New York, and sister, Peggy Willard of Fort Worth, daughter, Cathleen W. Hart, AIA and her husband Terry, of Houston, and son, Chief Kelly White, USNR, and his wife Sharon, of Corpus Christi, step-son Garey Salmeron, and step-daughter Charala Holloway of Pearland. Grandchildren are Ryan, Christin and Jonathan Hart, and Jacob and Joshua White. Step- grandchildren are Ashly and Kelly Salmeron, and Arnold and Cheyenne Holloway. A memorial service will be held at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581 at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 9. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery in Pearland. Family will receive visitors at Clayton Funeral Home from 3 to 5 PM on Sunday, July 8. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the youth group at Pearland Church of Christ.