Willie Blaine "Pookie" White, Jr. was born to Willie B. White, Sr. and Elanda Wright on March 01, 1969, in Newellton, Louisiana. We are not sure where or how he got the nickname "Pookie", but if you heard anyone calling him "Pookie", they were either family or extremely close friends that was associated with the family.
Willie's early childhood education was from Tensas Independent School District. The family moved to Austin, Texas in 1978 where his continuing education was with the Austin Independent School District. Willie received a high school diploma from Sidney Lanier High School, where he also played football team. Willie was a beast on the field, thus, earning him the nickname "Big Will".
Willie was brought up in church by his mother and accepted Christ at an early age. Willie moved to Midland, Texas where he became a member of the True-Lite Christian Fellowship. He served as an Usher while a member of True-Lite Christian Fellowship and earned yet another nickname, "The Gentle Giant". Willie later left True-Lite but not his relationship with Christ. His advice to many was what his mother taught him growing up, "Pray about it, trust God and it will be alright". Willie's heart was as big as he was in statue. He didn't trust easily, but once you were in his heart, he would do anything for you. He loved sweets and his family. We are not sure which one comes first. He would sneak and eat sweets and try to make us believe he was eating nothing but salads. LOL!
Willie departed this life on October 24, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. at Midland Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie B. White, Sr. and Elanda Wright. His maternal grandparents, Jerry and Mary Ida Williams, paternal grandparents, James Matthews, Sr., and Sammie Clarke, Uncles, Aunts, and cousins. He is survived by his daughters Keyonia White, Austin, Texas and Marissa White, Arlington, Texas, a step- daughter, Lelia "Mia" Mitchell, Midland, Texas, Siblings, Bonita Ghant and Tera Williams of Austin, Texas, Robert (Cindy) Williams, Gary and Preston White, Austin, Texas, his grandchildren, Katelyn, Amir, Amnia, Amari and Imani, Aunts, Elthel Ransome, Los Angeles, California, Annie (Leonard) Joffrion, Apple Valley, California, Mary (Clifton) Jones and Barbara Williams, Austin, Texas, Alberta Williams Smith, Newellton, Louisiana and Uncles, Claude Williams, Newellton, Louisiana and Randolph (Donna) Williams, San Antonio, Texas, Silas Davis, Childhood best friend and Jerliouse Joiner, his adopted little brother. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Willie "Pookie-Big Will-The Gentle Giant" White will live forever in our hearts!!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the White family.
