Submitted by: Dan Rich

William E. White

March 30, 1928 - May 3, 2008

South Bend Tribune 5/5/2008
SOUTH BEND - Dr. William E. White, residing in South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 11:35 a.m., surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years old. He was born March 30, 1928, in Elkhart, IN, to Thurlow and Pauline (Evans) White, and graduated from Elkhart High School in 1946. He lived in this area most of his life. He lived in the Indianapolis area from 1978-1998, and returned to South Bend shortly after his retirement. Dr. White attended Indiana University of South Bend, the University of Notre Dame, and received a Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Bethel College in 2004. He served as a trustee at Bethel College, Mishawaka, from 1966 to 2004, where he served as chairman for 17 years. He was also a member of the Heritage Foundation at Bethel. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church in South Bend, and formerly served as president of Men's Missionary Fellowship, Stewardship Board, Board of Directors, Treasurer, Stewardship Committee, and Church Extension Committee, all of the Missionary Church, Indiana District. He served as Sunday School teacher, Elder, and Chairman of the Building Committee at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis from 1978-1998. Prior to that he was active at Royal Oak Missionary Church, Royal Oak, MI, and Beulah Missionary Church, Elkhart.

On May 15, 1948, in Elkhart, IN, he was united in marriage to Bernadine R. Everest. His loving wife Bernadine of nearly 60 years survives him. Also surviving are a daughter, Vicki (Martin) Miles of South Bend; and two sons, Ron (Kathleen) White of South Bend and Bradley (Marla) White of Mason, OH. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Colleen (Robert) Beutler of Elkhart; and a brother, Tom (Alicia) White of Vero Beach, FL.

Adams and Westlake Co. in Elkhart employed him from 1944-1975. He was secretary and director at R.E. Jackson Co. in Elkhart in 1972, served as executive vice president and director at Rippel Architectural Metals, Chicago, 1975-1978, Chairman of the Board and President of Hugh J. Baker and Co., Indianapolis, 1978-1987, and was co-owner and Chairman of Board and President of Farnsworth Steel Co., Indianapolis, from 1987-1995. Dr. White was also director of Iron League of Chicago, director and president of Construction League of Indianapolis, Director and Chairman of Technical Committee with Aluminum Window Manufacturers Assoc., Chairman of Technical Committee of National Association Architectural Metals Manufacturers, member of American Institute of Steel Construction, and Trustee of Iron Workers Pension Fund. He was a member, Director, and Vice President of Rotary Club, board member and fundraiser for Indiana Society to Prevent Blindness, both in Indianapolis. He was a Registered Antique Clock restorer. He loved to do woodworking, play golf, travel and read.

Services celebrating the life of Dr. William E. White will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium on the campus of Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN. Graveside services and burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart, IN. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the rotunda of the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium, and one hour prior to the services Thursday. Contributions in memory of Dr. White may be made to Bethel College, 1001 W. McKinley, Mishawaka, IN 46545. The Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 So. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN (574-291-5880), is assisting the White family with arrangements.