Wilson Gray White

Wilson (Bill) Gray White, “Whizzer”, 89, passed away at home Friday, November 15, 2019. He leaves his wife of 56 years Margie (Phillips) White; son Robert Lance White; his daughter Lisa Salter (Jeff) McWilliams; son Wilson Jay (Kim) White; son Michael Lynn (Angie) White; 5 grandchildren Jason White, Graye Salter, Cade White, Presley White, and Julianne White as well as 3 great-grandchildren Sabrina, Anakin, and Hunter White; sister Mary George Hyde and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents James Leonard and Mattie Lou White; brother Avery White and sisters Ruth White Silvey and Marion White Thompson.

He was a lifelong resident of Etowah County and a graduate of Etowah High School. He served in the army where he played football at Camp Polk LA with NFL players and surpassed them on the field. Upon discharge, he was offered football scholarships to the University of Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M but chose to come back home to his family and go to work for Alabama Power. He retired from Alabama Power after 47 years of service. At retirement he had the longest length of service in the state.

He was known in the county as well as the state as one of the best and fastest baseball players around which is how he got his nickname “whizzer”. It was said he was so fast that he hit a line drive down first base line and it hit him in the back of the head when he was on his way to second. He also loved his garden and giving vegetables to neighbors and friends. However, his favorite thing was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always the life of the party and will be missed by all who loved him.

Funeral services will be at Collier-Butler funeral home on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 11:00am. Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jason White, Cade White, Presley White, and great-grandson Anakin White and his nephews.