William Robert White

The Rev. Bill White, 73, met the Lord, Jesus Christ on January 20th surrounded by his family. Currently of Kingsville, TX, and formally of Diamondhead, MS and Reston, VA, Father Bill was born in Dayton, OH. He is survived by his wife Susan, his children Julia MacMillan (John) of Landenberg, PA, Tracy White of Washington, DC, William White (Fosca) of Chicago, IL, Elizabeth Voell (Greg) of Leesburg, VA, Jonathan Long (Sandee) of Reston, VA, ten grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Bill graduated from The Ohio State University in 1964 and from its Law School in 1967. Upon graduation, he joined the law firm formerly called George, Greek, King and McMahon as an associate. There he met former Ohio Supreme Court Justice James Bell who had a client - former astronaut John Glenn. Senator Glenn was considering a run for the United States Senate in 1970 and Father Bill signed on as an enthusiastic volunteer and Campaign Leader. After the Senator's loss in the 1970 Democratic primary, Father Bill worked assiduously to keep the name and idea of John Glenn as a U.S. Senator alive. He served as the Staff Campaign Chair of the successful Glenn for Senate Campaign in 1974. In 1975, Senator Glenn appointed Father Bill as his first Chief of Staff in Washington, DC. Father Bill served in that position until Senator Glenn ran for President in 1983. Father Bill became the Campaign Manager of the Glenn for President Campaign and remained there until that campaign ended in 1984 whereupon he returned to his position in the Senate. In 1985, Father Bill retired from the Senate and joined the international law firm of Russin & Vecchi in Washington, DC as a Partner. He continued practicing law until accepting the call of the Priesthood of the Episcopal Church.

Father Bill graduated Cum Laude from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA in 2006. He was ordained at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and was called to be the Rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Diamondhead, MS. He served as its Priest until his retirement in 2013. In early 2014, Father Bill accepted another call and came out of retirement to serve at Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville, TX.

Father Bill cherished his time in the Church and established numerous ministries, youth groups and community programs. He was thought of as a kind and Holy man who heard his call to touch souls and bring the word of Jesus Christ to those who had been searching. He was known for his caring and compassionate personality as well as his strong sense of duty and loyalty. Additionally, he had a passion for baseball and was an active coach and umpire in youth little league programs as well as participated in adult baseball leagues.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31st, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Church of the Epiphany located at 206 North Third Street, Kingsville, TX 78363. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Father Bill's name to: The Reverend William R. White Perpetual Scholarship Fund, Church of the Epiphany Episcopal School, 206 North Third Street, Kingsville, TX 78363.

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home – (512) 452-8811. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at: www.wcfish.com