On Wednesday Aug 5th 2020, William Currie White, Jr. our beloved husband, father and papi, passed away peacefully at his home in Sandy, UT at the age of 76 following a battle with bone cancer.
Bill was born on May 07, 1944 in Salt Lake City to Bill and Phyllis [Searle] White. On July 18, 1970, he married Carolyn Fay Sorenson in the Oakland Temple. Together, they raised 6 children: Melanie [Jeff], Will [Angela], R Nick [Heather], Tandy, Anthony, Brett [Erica], and are grandparents to 12 grandchildren.
In his younger years, Bill was raised in Palo Alto, CA with his sister Nicki. They eventually moved to Sacramento, where he attended and graduated from El Camino High School before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Uruguay. Bill spoke fluent Spanish, which helped him in his work and service in the church. He attended and graduated from BYU.
Bill and Carolyn raised their children in Southern California where he served in many capacities both in the church and the community. He served in the High Priest Leadership, in Bishoprics, on the High Council, just to list a few. He was elected to the School Board of Jurupa Unified School District in California and served as its President for 2 of those years where He was well respected.
Bill worked as a manufacturer’s rep in various parts of the country and world. At one time or another he serviced parts of CA, AZ, Montana, Idaho, Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Ecuador. He enjoyed all those that he worked with and the different cultures he got familiar with. It seemed wherever he went, the people liked his gentle and thoughtful personality.
When the church piloted the Hispanic Initiative, Bill and Carolyn were one of the first to serve as Spanish Speaking missionaries, serving 2 years in the Galena Branch in Sandy Utah. It was one of the highlights in his life.
He loved entertainment, especially going to movies. He was artistic and liked to paint in his early 20’s. He was very good at it. Each of his children have at least one of his paintings. He had a fun sense of humor and liked to laugh. Reading Louis L’Amour books was a favorite past time of his. He was very interested and knowledgeable in both world and church history. He loved flowers, music, playing board games and doing puzzles. He loved BYU football, treats [had a big sweet tooth] and was an ‘addict’ for McDonald’s Coke!!! He loved a good storm: rain, lightning, thunder, and all that came with it. He enjoyed visiting with people, found gratification in serving others, having callings in the church, helping with whatever things he could, and when he could. He was a gentle giant, kind, and thoughtful.
We love you Bill, Dad, Grandpa, Papi! Though we will miss you so much, we understand that it will only be for a short time. We will see you again, because we have faith that our family is forever. That through Jesus Christ, families can be together forever. And we have complete peace knowing that. Until we see you again. Mwah!
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 10312 Ashley Park Dr. Sandy, UT 84092. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am. Due to COVID please wear a mask and understand that only 99 will be permitted.
For those who would like to donate toward flowers, please send it to @Tandy-White through venmo. Please note who the donation is from so we can thank you appropriately. We love you and thank you for being a part of our lives.
I was blessed to serve as Carolyn White’s visiting teacher for many years. I felt the sweet spirit of Brother and Sister White in their home. Bill never complained but was always gracious and had that twinkle in his eye. He was was well educated in gospel and civil matters. His testimony was strong. I was privileged to be Brother and Sister White ‘s friend. He will be missed.
`Bill always welcomed me with a strong hug and a big warm grin whenever I came to visit, or if our families met up somewhere.
`Bill married my older sister, Carolyn, when I was a young teen. From the time I met him, Bill always treated me with respect and validation. He made a positive difference in my life. For this, I am grateful.
`I don't remember details of the occasion, but I once took a road trip with Bill and Carolyn while in my teens, and Bill made it interesting by telling me the many historical facts and trivia of the various locations we were driving through or passing by. He made potentially tedious experiences interesting (no cell phones, WiFi, or Serius radio in those days). I am grateful.
Later when I was grown with a family of my own, I was invited with my family, to join Bill and Carolyn's family on an outing to the Redwoods near the coast of California. Bill patiently sat at the entrance of the trail on a bench while the rest of us all had a great time walking the trails and exploring the beauty that mother nature created, but not before Bill offered some historical tidbits about the area. I am grateful.
Bill and I have had lovely visits and conversation through the years. I feel that we had a mutual familial love and respect for each other. I am grateful for what time I shared with him.
Bill, I will always remember our usual greeting of me planting a big ol' kiss on your cheek and your big strong hugs and seeing your face beam as I came through the door to visit the family. 'Love, 'miss you!
So sorry to hear about Bill. We wish you pease and comfort in your loss.