SALEM TOWNSHIP – William “Billy” Clifford White, 78, passed away on March 5, 2020, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.
He was born on Feb. 27, 1942, in Crockertown, the son of Lawrence and Victoria (Knowlan) White. Billy was educated in the schools of Dryden, Wilton, Strong and Phillips, and received his GED certificate.
He served his country for 13 years in the U.S. Army, with two tours of duty in Vietnam, being honorably discharged as a Sergeant and received the Bronze Star.
On Sept. 15, 2001, he married Jeanne Espeaignnette in Phillips.
Over the years, Billy worked for Bob Brackley, Farmington Shoe Co., John Deere, Newall Construction, Forster Mfg Co. (Strong), and Howard Brothers Carpentry.
He was a member of the National Rifle Association, and the Salem Outlaws where he participated in their Memorial Day Services at the Mt. Abram and Mile Square Cemeteries for 10 years. Billy enjoyed NASCAR, hunting and fishing, muzzle loading, and spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed the 9th Infantry 7th Battalion 13th Artillery Reunion with his fellow Vietnam Vets, and the White Family Reunion which he attended every year.
Billy is survived by his wife, Jeanne White of Salem Township; his children, Kathy McElroy of Dover, TN, Debbie Odom and Jeff of Indian Mound, TN, Sherry (Tootie) Hansen of Reddick, FL, Jesse White and Rachel of Centerville, OH, Charles (Chuck) White; step daughter, Amanda Wilcox of Temple; daughter in-law, Penny White; grandchildren, Jacob and Jeremy Hicks, Marion and Cody Bridges, Cori Compton, Derrick White, Brittanie Averril, Sherice Pillsbury, Trevor Hansen, Madison, Ashton and Sam White, Treyvonne Cote and Carter Ryerson; 19 great grandchildren; siblings, Lawrence (Junior) White of Avon, Dale White and Kim of Madrid, Steve White and Leslie of Farmington, Pam Virgin and Tom Boyce of Canton, Joella Ross and Jim of Phillips. He was predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Leola Coolong and her spouse Bill, Linda Woodcock and her spouse Kirtley, and Julie; sister in-law, Virginia White; brother in-law, Wallace Virgin; daughter, Karen Hicks; son, William White; son in-law, Reggie Hansen; grandsons, Billy White and Lee Gragg; granddaughter, Rebecca Lewis; and great granddaughter, Chastity White.
Donations in Billy’s memory may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Rd., Farmington, ME 04938 or to the American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, 1200 Hostford St., Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316.
The family would like to thank the staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital for their care of Billy.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m., on May 17, 2020, at the Mile Square Cemetery in Avon. A reception will follow at the Avon Community Building, 1116 Rangeley Road, in Avon.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
Our sincere condolences to the family
So very sorry for your loss he was a great man and served his country proudly
Our brother has “crossed over the river and rests under the shade of the trees.”
He now had the peace that a soldier labors to find.
I pray for his family and give thanks for those who cared for him in the last days.
Tom
You will always be loved.
Billy was a good friend of my brother Norman and I. We hunted and fished together, did Carpentry work together and spent hours at his camp. Rest in peace Billy, until we meet again.
My thoughts and Prayers are with all Billy’s Family. He was such a nice guy that went off as a young man to serve his country with pride. Rest in peace my friend.
You will always be remembered and I am Blessed to have had you for a Friend.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.. RIP Billy. We will miss those cherries…
Billy you were a great friend for over 65 years. I will miss you very much. We had a lot of great times together.
Billy we were friends for over 65 years. I will miss you. We had a lot of great times together.
Sadly, I didn’t even know I had a cousin Billy until about 15 years ago. But it didn’t take very long to realize what a great person Billy was. And how he’d do anything he possibly could for you.
Billy had a great sense of humor. He loved and was VERY proud of his family. He also loved God, greatly.
I could always depend on regular emails from Billy with jokes, photos of his family and uplifting religious references. Billy also loved his country very much.
My love and sincere condolences to Billy’s wife, children and grandchildren. May the knowledge that one day the circle will not be broken give you comfort.
Cousin Ellen