Roll Call Tribute

William "Bill" F. White
December 19, 1929 - October 4, 2022

Bill White, 92, of Lake Kiowa, passed away October 4, 2022, at his home.

Born to William B. and Bertha (Barnes) White in El Paso, Texas. The family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1931. Bill graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1947.

Always an industrious and hard-working person, his younger years saw him self employed as a paper boy, collecting scrap aluminum for the war effort and working at a dry cleaner. When he was old enough, he drove a truck for the Wiley-Wolf grain company, then delivering flowers for Bebbs Florist. He found time to pursue hobbies and interests including playing trombone in the high school band, running track, and Boy Scouts of America where he earned the level of Eagle Scout, carrying with him the Boy Scout Law throughout his life: Service to God, Family and Country.

Bill’s love for math and sciences shaped his determination to go to Texas A&M, then called The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, majoring in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and the Cadet Corps all four years, graduating in 1951.

Bill married Johnnye Ann Hicks in 1950, whom he met while attending Wichita Falls Senior High School. After graduating from Texas A&M, Mr. White was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Army, and served during the Korean Conflict in the Army’s Navy at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He served in Active Reserve for ten years, ending his military duty as Captain.

His long professional work life ensued at Babcock and Wilcox Company for the next 42.5 years where he excelled in utility sales. Bill was a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, settling in Richardson, Texas in 1961. Bill served his church, Richardson Heights Baptist Church, as a deacon and a member of multiple committees; served as President of the JJ Pearce High School Band Parents Organization, was active in the Rotary Club, Professional Engineers Club of Dallas, Texas A&M Century Club, Texas A&M Foundation-Heritage Society, and he pursued his favorite hobby of golf.

1994 saw Bill and Johnnye’s retirement dream of lakeside living at Lake Kiowa. Not one to sit idle, he served on the Ways and Means Committee at Lake Kiowa, the Lake Kiowa Water Board, an elder at The Journey Church and teaching Sunday School to young people. He also served on the Cooke County Appraisal Review Board and was Chairman for several years. A big part of being “retired” meant Bill and Johnnye could travel extensively in their RV all over America and Canada, as well as international travel and cruising. Their last international trip to Israel was his most meaningful, where he was able to experience the places where Jesus walked.

Bill set goals at every stage of his life, giving himself high standards to achieve. If you knew him personally, you knew organization was a key character trait he maintained to achieve daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals.

Mr. White was preceded in death by: parents W.B. and Bertha (Barnes) White; sister Wanda Conrath and husband Earl; and brother John T. White and wife Mary Jo.

Mr. White leaves behind his precious bride of 72 years, Johnnye Ann Hicks White; son Randy White; daughter Kathy Bonduris and husband Thad; daughter Robbie Watson and husband Mike; grandchildren: Billy and Michelle White, Jonathan White, Chris and Kaitlyn White, Jay and Shannon Sappington, Joel Sappington, Jed Sappington, Blake and Christi Watson, Emily and Tommy Poynter, and Dean Watson; 14 great-grandchildren; First cousin Ida Jane Newman; niece Elizabeth McGinnis and husband Matt; niece Vicki Duncan and husband Don; niece Elaine Dacy and husband Paul; and nephew Edward Conrath and wife Carolyn.

A funeral service with military honors is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Dr. James T. Egan officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11 at the funeral home. Mr. White will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cooke County A&M Club (c/o Scott Pulte, PO Box 365, Lindsay, TX 76250) or The Journey Church (PO Box 1657, Gainesville, TX 76241).

Special heart felt gratitude to Dr. James Egan and all the members of The Journey Church who through the last years of Bill’s life have shown love and support beyond measure and were always there to encourage.