Virginia Iolene White

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Virginia passed away peacefully at the age of ninety-two, of a sudden cardiac arrest. She was at home, where her daughter and son-in-law were by her side. She was born to Clarence and Lola Reece on July 31st, 1927 and was raised on their farm in Yale, Oklahoma. Virginia, her sister, Delores, and younger brother, Clifford, helped on the farm and attended first through eighth grades in a one-room schoolhouse not far from their home.

During her high school years, Virginia lived with friends in Yale and worked in a local restaurant. After graduation, mutual friends introduced her to the love of her life, Wilson (Bill) White. They were married three months later on December 28, 1947 and their love story began.

Although they had both grown up on farms, neither Bill nor Virginia wanted to continue that lifestyle and moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to pursue their dreams. Bill began taking classes and worked at the City Power Plant in Stillwater and Virginia began working in retail. In 1950, they welcomed their first child, Linda, into the family and then welcomed their son, William (Billy/Willie) into the family in 1953.

Their family loved the outdoors and spent many of their vacations camping, boating, fishing and water-skiing. They also spent holidays and vacations visiting their family and many friends back in Oklahoma. They always enjoyed playing board games together and Virginia was dubbed the “Queen of Dominoes” by her family as she continued to win game after game even at the age of 92!

Bill spent most of his career working for Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company and, as he received promotions, their family moved from Stillwater to Hutchinson, Kansas. They later moved to St. Louis, Missouri and finally settled permanently in Seattle, Washington in 1969. Both of their children and their families also reside in the Seattle area. Virginia and Bill loved people and made many good life-long friends everywhere they lived. Their home was always filled with family, friends, love and laughter!!!

After retirement, Bill and Virginia moved from their home in Bellevue, WA to the Friendly Village Retirement Community in Redmond, WA. Several of their neighbors also moved into the community at the same time and they all enjoyed visiting together and participating in the many activities available to them there. Virginia later became Bill’s caretaker for many years until his death In 2006. Virginia and Bill had joined the Children’s Hospital Guild in their community and Virginia, who always loved to sew, later joined the community quilters group there. She enjoyed learning to quilt and, along with her fellow quilters, made lap quilts for the children being cared for in our Children’s Hospital in Seattle. Each of Virginia’s great-grandchildren also has a very special quilt designed and created for them by their great-grandma.

Virginia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all. She had several outside jobs during her lifetime but her passion was in taking care of her family. She had a sunny disposition, loved to laugh and her beautiful smile always lit up any room. She lived independently until the age of 90, when she agreed to moving into her daughter’s home in Redmond.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Linda and husband, Bill; her son, Willie and wife, Laurie; her grandchildren, Scott and wife, Cristie; Troy and wife, Lorien; Kelly and husband, Scott; and Kasey and his fiancé, Kaylee. Virginia has eight great-grandchildren: Ila, Tessa, Sophia, Jackson, Ella, Emma, Connor and Wyatt. She will remain forever in our hearts.

Memorial Donations in Virginia’s name may be made to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Their contact phone number is: 206-987-4844 or 800-635-1432