Henry M White

July 18, 1920 – December 8, 2012

Henry M. White died peacefully on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Azalea Trace, a retirement community in Pensacola Florida.

Henry was born in Pensacola Florida, one of ten children of Henry and Ida White. There are two surviving siblings; Celeste Taber of Pensacola, Florida and Joyce Bailey of Perdido Beach, Alabama. He was pre-deceased by brothers, Martin White, Thomas White and sisters Honora Monahan, Sara Jean Unser, Priscilla Meyer, Leila White, and Judy Merritt.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II, and both the Korean and the Vietnam wars. During his career he gave over 30 years of dedicated service to his country.

Henry married Emily Chavis in 1942 and during his 30 years of Military Service with the U.S. Navy, they had the opportunity to live in several cities around the country as well as in Hawaii and Guam. While in Hawaii Henry and Emily helped to build an Episcopal Church to house a growing congregation. Later, Henry and Emily, long time members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida, have actively participated in several groups and ministries of the church, most notably as members of the choir. Until his death Henry was also an active and faithful member of the Episcopal Church.

He is survived by two sons, Richard Murphree (Sandra) White, Newport Bluffs, California, and Bruce Alan White, La Mesa, California, nine grandchildren; Deborah, Darren, Heather, Austin, Haley, Michelle, Reanna, Angela, and four grandchildren, all of California. Deceased daughters Shirley (White) Edge, and daughter Kathleen Phyllis White, who died in infancy, complete their immediate family.

Friends of Henry are invited to participate at a service in celebration of Henry’s life, which will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday January 7, 2013, at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 1 St. Francis Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida followed by a reception. Inurnment to be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2013 in Pensacola Florida with full military honors. There will also be a memorial held in California with a specific date and place to be announced.

Condolences may be sent to 32 Dunes Bluff, Newport Coast, CA 92657.