William R. White

Russ is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Kathy; two children: son, Joshua age 14; and daughter, Kylie age 10. Russ was born on October 27, 1963 in San Jose, California to Richard E. White from Gerard, IL and Evelyn Joan White from Warrington, England both deceased. Also survived by brother Richard White Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO and wife Nancy as well as sister Susan Jane Wolfberger and brother-in-law Bill of Riverton, IL, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also adored by Kathy's family Margaret Page, N. Palm Beach, FL, Tim Page and family, N. Palm Beach, FL, Sharon McQuade and family of Avon, CT, and Holly Habchi and family of Lebanon. Russ was raised in the United Kingdom and in Pawnee, Illinois.

He graduated from Pawnee High School, Pawnee, IL in 1981 and entered the United States Air Force in October of 1982. During his career, he was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, MacDill AFB, FL, Torrejon, Spain, Ocala, FL, Raleigh, NC and Lackland AFB, TX. While stationed in Spain, Russ discovered the best kept secret in the Air Force, Recruiting. He applied for and was accepted into the program in 1992, and discovered his true calling of Sales. He spent the next ten years of his career in the recruiting field. During that time, he recruited for enlisted, officers, doctors, dentists and nurses. Russ was extremely successful in recruiting and beside numerous awards; he earned a STEP promotion from SSgt to TSgt in 1998.

He completed his career in San Antonio, TX at Lackland AFB at the recruiting training school as an instructor and instructor supervisor. Russ served his country faithfully and loyally, retiring honorably in April 2003 at the rank of MSgt. While on active duty he earned his undergraduate degree in business from Mount Olive College in North Carolina and his MBA from Webster University.

Upon retirement Russ entered into a very successful career in medical sales earning regional, national and international award recognitions, including a reward trip to Phoenix, AZ, a #1 International ranking and a reward trip to Paris, France and Cancun, Mexico.

Though professionally successful, the focus of his life was always his family and friends. He loved spending time with his wife and children and taking family vacations. He was a devoted husband and father and a giving, caring and generous person. He will be remembered for his smile, the twinkle in his eye, his infectious laughter and his wonderful sense of humor.

He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. Even in the end, Russ was thinking of his children first and foremost. He asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a college fund account set up for Joshua and Kylie at Chase Bank. The Russ White Children's Fund Account #966873796. Kathy asks that if donations are made to please drop her a note so she may properly thank you. The bank does not provide that information.

His family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for him at Wilford Hall Medical Center, the START Center, and Odyssey Hospice. Special thanks to Maria Maher his wonderful hospice nurse whose love and compassion was beyond measure, as well as the staff at Odyssey House who are angels on earth. All of them helped to make dealing with such a horrible disease more bearable. Their care and compassion will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be held on September 10, 2011 at 3:00 pm at Crossroads Baptist Church. The address is 8300 Tezel Road, San Antonio, TX 78254.

Interment will be held in Lake Worth, Florida at South Texas National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date.