…Born in Limestone, N.Y. on September 1, 1922 to Joseph and Grace White
…Raised by his maternal grandparents, John and Sylvia Cogswell
…Left school in the 8th grade to help with the chores on his grandparents’ farm
…Served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945
…Captured at the Battle of the Bulge and held prisoner for 5 months in Germany
…Earned Good Conduct medal and awarded the Bronze Star for bravery under fire
…Honorably discharged in 1945 as a staff sergeant
…Life member of the American Legion and served as Commander of Post 1286 in Jamestown, N.Y.
…Member of VFW Post 10066 in Jensen Beach, Fl.
…Traveled to several cities in the U.S. for annual POW meetings with his wife, Rena
…Pre-deceased by his wife of 66 years, Rena Ammons White, by his brother, John White, three sisters …Marion McCartney, Laurel Krise, Mavis Patterson, and great grandson, Kevin Swanson
…He is survived by two daughters, Susan (Bob) Cusimano, Virginia (Dave) Swanson, sister, Patricia (Ron) …Stephens, four grandchildren, Rick and Steve Cusimano, Jeff and Tim Swanson, six great grandchildren …Olivia, Caroline, Hunter, Tyler, Brandon, Ava
…Attended services at Zion Covenant Church in Jamestown, N.Y., Trinity Methodist in Jensen Beach, and …Chapel by the Sea on Hutcheson Island. Also attended services while a resident in the long term care unit …of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
…Though he feared the water most of his life after a childhood accident concerning his brother, he lived on …Chautauqua Lake in Western NY for many years, the site of numerous family gatherings, and on …Hutcheson Island in Jensen Beach where he and his wife would stroll the beach or sit by the pool with …friends and family
…He was passionate about dancing and bowling and couldn’t be more proud of his family and his country. …He worked his way up the ladder to become a manager of several departments at Sears, Roebuck & Co …from which he retired in 1984 after 30 years of service
…He was quiet and conservative, hard working, and always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor or friend and …was quick to display a smile on his face when he was introduced to someone, even to his last day
…He loved the music of the 40’s, but was partial to patriotic melodies …the piano player at his assisted …living facility used to turn the mike over to him to close out the program with “his” favorite song, “God Bless …America”. He would belt out the words with tears streaming down his cheeks
…He will be sorely missed, but remembered for his mild-mannered personality and smile.
…At his request, he and his wife will be buried together at the South Florida VA National Cemetery in Lake …Worth on Wednesday, June 26th, in an honors ceremony performed by the VA, at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in William’s honor to Disabled American Veterans, 1150 SW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953.
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