Benton T. White

Benton Turrentine White, 93, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2015. He spent his early childhood days in Hamilton, Alabama. He moved to Birmingham as a teenager where he continued to reside the rest of his life.

A veteran of World War II, he flew 11 bombing missions over Europe as a B-17 co-pilot in the Eighth Air Force. He earned the rank of Second Lieutenant.

After the war, he returned to Auburn University and graduated in 1947 with a Mechanical Engineering degree. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Anne Moore, and they celebrated fifty years of married life together.

He began his career as a draftsman with U.S. Pipe, which later became Walter Energy. He was a key contributor in several invention processes that improved the quality and production of pipe products. He also was instrumental in beginning the mining division, and designed and managed this project from its inception to its implementation.

He was a long time member of Grace United Methodist Church, and most recently attended Irondale United Methodist Church. He enjoyed Auburn football, music, golf, and painting. Art was a special passion of his which he pursued until his last days.

He was a man of quiet demeanor, strong character, and a true southern gentleman. When you were to talking Ben White, you felt like you were the most important person in the room. He was a very kind and caring man, who loved people and continued to make new friends throughout his entire life. He will be dearly missed.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Anne Moore White, and his brother, Victor Rush White, Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Melinda McNamee (Charles) and Catherine Lathem (Terry), his grandchildren Lauren Gomes (Joey), Brooke Hoekstra (Justin), Michelle Lathem, Lee Anne Irwin (Michael), Charles Benton McNamee, six great-grandchildren, and niece Sally Hamilton (Jay).

There will be a visitation on Monday, February 23, from 4:00-7:00 pm and a funeral service on Tuesday, February 24, 1:00 pm, both at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood.

Memorials may be made to one of Ben’s favorite organizations, Tuscaloosa Rotary Honor Flight, P.O. Box 2403 Tuscaloosa, AL (205-759-9534) , which honors American veterans by flying them to Washington D.C. to see their memorials at no cost.