William Robert White

William “Bill” Robert White, 86, of Upland, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 11, 2024. Bill was born September 21, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest child of William and Judith White. He graduated from Collinwood High School in Cleveland, where he served as senior class president. He juggled many jobs during high school and college, working as a drug store soda jerk and drummer in polka and rock and roll bands. He earned his BA in Economics in 1959 at Marietta College in Ohio, where he met the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Carole, who passed in 2013. Bill earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1963 and served in the Army and the Army Reserves. The family moved to Upland in 1969. Bill enjoyed a long career and started Regency Sales, a plastics machinery sales and service business, in 1978, working alongside his son, Bill Jr., who now runs the company.

Bill was an ordained Elder and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Upland, where he was the dedicated director of the homework club tutoring program. He was also involved in financial advisement and planning through his synod work serving Presbyterian churches throughout Southern California and Hawaii. Generous to a fault, he enjoyed hosting annual family vacations to Hawaii. Bill loved holidays, especially Christmas, when he donned his Santa Claus costume to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and pass out presents to multiple generations of children and grandchildren of his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his son Bill, Jr. and his wife, Kathy, of Pasadena; daughter Stacey White of Newport Coast; grandchildren Dylan and Parker Kinney; sister Judith Marion; nieces Korey Marion, Jennifer Marion Russell, Sharon Shaw Winter, and nephew Gregory Marion. His youngest sister, Rosemary White, preceded him in death. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Saturday, March 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Upland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s name to the American Heart Association or in Bill & Carole’s name to The UCLA Foundation/Dr. Cameron’s Mesothelioma Research Program.