William "Bill" White

Mr. William "Bill" White, age 75 of Hamilton, passed away October 23, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 12-Noon from Nelson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Fayette Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11-12 at the funeral home.

God called home one of His devoted servants—Minister
William (Bill) Rodgers White Jr.—on Wednesday, October 23,
2024. Bill was a man of unwavering faith, whose kindness and
humor touched the lives of all who knew him. Known for his
love of family, friends, and community, he had a remarkable
way of bringing people together, filling every room with
warmth, laughter, and a spirit of fellowship that left lasting
memories.

Bill was born on September 20, 1949, in Texas. He was the son
of William Rodgers White Sr. and Vandella Davis. He
graduated from West Highland High School in 1967, where he
was active in sports such as basketball and football and was a
member of the school’s concert and marching bands, forming
bonds and values that he would carry throughout his life. He
answered a deeper call to serve his nation when he joined the
United States Air Force, proudly serving until his honorable
discharge.

After his military service, Bill worked at the Fayette Cotton
Mill, where he built a respected career, retiring after 20 years
of dedicated service. He also volunteered with the sheriff’s
department for several years, showing his commitment to
helping those around him.

Bill was a man of many talents. He earned a black belt in
karate and was a karate instructor. Having accepted Christ as
his savior at a very young age, Bill was also blessed musically,
singing in his church choir from childhood onward and
playing multiple instruments.

He contributed his talents as a singer and musician to the
Spiritual Five, a gospel singing group, and was a lead singer of
the First Baptist Church of Fayette’s male chorus. In recent
years, Bill was ordained into the ministry and served as the
associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Fayette.

Bill’s legacy lives on through his beloved wife, Linda Wallace-
White, of Hamilton, Alabama, his high school sweetheart who

he reunited with after more than 50 years apart and married
in 2013; his children—Kevin White of Fayette, Alabama;
Joseph (Kayla) White of Irondale, Alabama; Mark Latham of
Sulligent, Alabama; Donny Wallace, stepson, of Huntsville,
Alabama; and his stepdaughter, Teisha Wallace of Bessemer,
Alabama. He also leaves behind cherished grandchildren:
Xavier White, Xeryus White, and Xandrea (Xan) White, all of
Memphis, Tennessee; Ahmade Latham, Sulligent, Alabama; Ky
White of Fayette, Alabama; Madison White and Jackson
White of Sterrett, Alabama; Addison Wilson of Berry,
Alabama; and Elijah (Eli) White of Sebastian, Florida. His
siblings—Van (Toni) Davis of Fayette, Alabama; Mike
(Tamilya) Davis of Memphis, Tennessee; and Janice Beatty of
Lorain, Ohio—also carry forward his memory, along with a
host of nieces and nephews and a large extended family filled
with cousins, in laws, and friends, who were all touched by the
brightness of his smile and his words of encouragement.

Preceding Bill in death are his sons William (Bill) White III
and Jonathan Corey (Corey) White; grandson Joshua (Josh)
White; his biological parents Vandella Davis and William R.
White Sr.; and grandparents Rev. J.H. Thompson and Fannie
V. Thompson, who loved and raised him from a young age
into adulthood.

Bill’s presence will be missed, but his spirit will remain
forever with us.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" White, please visit our floral store.