William M. White

On Saturday, March 3, 2018, William Max White, known to family and friends as “Billy” and his grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Pepaw”, passed away at 89 years old surrounded by family in his home.

Born in Willis, Texas on December 26, 1928, Billy had five brothers and two sisters and spent the early years of his childhood living in the Houston Heights and the latter in the Ozarks. He was full of mischief and a twinkle in his eye from the start. At the age of 16 he knew Texas was his home and moved back to Houston with his brothers. A friend introduced Billy to the plumbing business and his sharp focus, hard work and willingness to fix any problem quickly landed him a solid job. He never shied away from a challenge and loved the Lord with all his heart.

As he started his career, he met the love of his life, Patricia Jean Wallace, “Patsy”, and married her in April of 1949. For 69 years they were never far apart. Holding hands, teasing, cooking, enjoying the great outdoors and praising the Lord – Billy and Patsy had a Godly marriage that blessed everyone around them. They had three children, Cindy Jean Bridges, Patricia Ann Weatherly and William Lee White.

Billy was a loving husband, devoted father, and a generous friend. He eventually became a master plumber and started his own plumbing business. While being a family man and successful entrepreneur, he also gave back to his community and worked full-time at the Houston Fire Department for 20 years. He loved to cook at the station and firefighters came from all over town to enjoy his food and friendship.

A man of many talents, he played the steel guitar and loved to sing, woodwork, fish and hunt. He bounced each of his grandchildren on his knee while singing his famous song “woop de doo alum de dum woop de doo alum de dum” and taught them how to garden, shoot, build and fish.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Patsy; his daughter Annie and her husband Bobby; and a daughter Cindy. He also leaves 7 grandkids and 15 great grandkids. Also a much loved sister in law Jackie Reed, brother in law JI Wallace, sister in law Reba Coberly, and many dearly loved nieces and nephews and loads of friends.

He never met a stranger. If he didn’t take you fishin’ ……he meant to. Everyone knows a good story about him or one he told. Good memories to last forever. He was even joking with his grandson in his last few days. He’ll truly be missed.