William Howard White

William Howard White, 76, peacefully entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by his family. Howard was a man of many gifts and talents and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the Jacksonville community he called “home” for over 50 years.

Howard was born on December 5, 1946, in Foley, Alabama, and was the last surviving sibling out of 17 children. Determined and disciplined, Howard left his home in Alabama at the age of 15 and headed to Florida to make something of himself, and that he most certainly did. Howard worked during the day and took classes at night at Polk County Community College, earned his Associates of Business Degree and then started a Savings & Loan Company. This was the beginning of his remarkable journey into the world of banking and building. In 1977, Howard founded North Florida Builders, Inc. As a premier custom home builder, Howard built over 2,000 custom homes until his retirement in 2018. He could sketch and create an award-winning masterpiece of a home, visualize a renovation or design an addition to scale with impeccable attention to detail, exemplary quality and timeless class. One of the many professional honors Howard received during his life that was special to him was the role of 2001 President of The North Florida Builders Association (NEFBA). Howard was a man of character who earned a well-deserved and impeccable reputation. He created opportunities for others and fostered connections with colleagues who became lifelong friends that were like family. Howard loved giving back and helping others, particularly building homes for those less fortunate, and did so with NEFBA, City Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity and Builders Care, to name a few. Howard was a longtime member of Deerwood Country Club and was an avid golfer. He thoroughly enjoyed his weekly golf outings, Wednesday night dinners at the club and Thursday “hazy” lunches with his dear friends.

Howard loved deeply, first and foremost, his Lord and Savior. He had a very strong faith and was a member of First Baptist Church for many years and, since 2013, attended the Church of Eleven22. Howard loved his three boys Ronnie, Brian and Jason, and the joy they brought to his life. He loved to reminisce about the family trips they would take while the boys were growing up, the boys’ neighborhood pranks while living in Deerwood, not allowing the boys to touch his perfectly styled hair, his love of of cars and owning 96 brand new automobiles during his lifetime many the color white! Being a grandfather to nine grandchildren and great-grandfather to three was such a gift to Howard. Howard always liked planning the White Family Reunions, summer and holiday parties, handling every single detail of the gathering so all the family could be together. Howard and his beloved wife, Lissie, honored and treasured one another and their marriage. Howard adored her son, Trip, like his own. Combining Howard’s passion for helping others and Lissie’s passion for helping those with special needs, the couple opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in November of 2022. Howard’s legacy will live on through the coffee shop, the special needs community, the building community, his family and his many friends.

A Celebration of Howard’s Life will be on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of Eleven22, located at 14286 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32250.