
He was born October 9, 1930 in Roswell, NM to Leslie White and Irene Reder White, and shortly after moved to Pinos Altos, NM. He attended and graduated from the 8th grade from the School House in Pinos Altos in 1944 and went on to attend Silver High School and graduated in 1948. After high school he worked for the Forest Service as a lookout on the tower at Signal Peak for a season and then joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in London, England during the Korean War. While stationed in England he met Lillian Hopla, the love of his life, they were married in England on August 23, 1952. After he was Honorably discharged from the Air Force, he and Lillian moved to his childhood home in Pinos Altos after taking a job at Kennecott Copper in Hurley where he retired from the Engineering Department after a 30-year career. He then went to work as a consultant in engineering for Phelps Dodge for 10 years. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and he loved riding his horses in the peace, quiet, and beauty of the mountains of the Gila National Forest.
He is survived by his loving wife Lillian of the family home; his son, Brian and wife Elizabeth of Placitas, NM; two daughters, Jennifer White of Silver City; Rachel White and husband Mike Head of Pinos Altos; six grandchildren, Amy, Tyler, Sarah, Magen, Sharilyn and Ryan; nine great-grandchildren, Dax, Alex, Antonio, Adrian, Corbin, Owen, Hannah, Zoey, and Ayden. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Roger and Vincent White; one brother, John “Jack” White; two sisters, Anne Strohl and Margaret Adams.
Visitation will be Friday, May 21st from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the holy rosary at 6pm. On Saturday, May 22nd the funeral mass will commence at 10am at St. Francis Newman Center with Father Bartholomew Ezenwelem officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Pinos Altos Cemetery. Pallbearers are Tyler Otwell, Ryan White and the Marine Corp League.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.