William Spalding White

William Spalding White, 70, of Atlanta, beloved husband of Ida Jordan White for 44 years, died May 13, 2014 at Piedmont Hospital following a long and valiant fight against heart disease. A native of Atlanta, Spalding attended Christ the King School, The Westminster School and graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. He attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He received a Master’s of Business degree from Georgia State University. Spalding was a member of the Round Table and the Piedmont Driving Club. Spalding was Senior Vice President and Managing Broker at Dorsey Alston, Realtors. He had more than 40 years of experience in Atlanta real estate. During his long and auspicious career, Spalding was the 2002 recipient of the Realtor of the Year Award and was the 2002 President of the Atlanta Board of Realtors. He received the President’s Award and the Captains of Industry Award, both from the Atlanta Board of Realtors. A war hero, Spalding served in the United States Marine Corps and was released from active duty in 1970 with the rank of Captain. He sacrificed his own well-being on numerous occasions while in Vietnam, at times suffering serious wounds in the process. For his bravery and valor on the battlefield, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnamese Service Medal; the Vietnamese Campaign Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; Purple Heart Medal; and the Bronze Star. He was deeply loved and respected by the men he took great pride in leading. Spalding was a loving and generous grandfather, doting on his ten grandchildren. He entertained them with stories of his childhood, taught them how to shoot pellet guns, shared his experiences as a marine, and awed them with his ability to handcraft model airplanes and beautiful bamboo fly fishing rods. He attended their football, basketball, soccer, and clay shooting matches, along with ballet recitals and play performances, always offering gracious praise for their efforts. He took them on fishing excursions, played card games with them on family beach trips, and was there whenever they needed him. He will forever live on in their memories and they all will miss their “Grandman” very much. In addition to his love of family and friends, Spalding was an enthusiastic and talented hobbyist. He enjoyed making and flying Radio Controlled airplanes, photographing and developing beautiful pictures of his children and grandchildren, and hand crafting and dedicating gorgeous bamboo fly rods which he generously gave away to any and all in his life who also enjoyed the sport. Spalding is survived by his wife, Ida Jordan White; son, William Spalding White, Jr. and his wife, Brittany; daughter, Virginia White Allen and her husband, Jason; and daughter, Elizabeth Spalding White and her husband, Keith Gaudin; grandchildren, Keene, Susan and Lowe White; Jack, Robby, Jimmy, and Liza Allen; Joe White-Gaudin; Turner and Tucker Patrick; and sister, Susan White Mathis. The family wishes to express grateful appreciation to Dr. Randy Martin and the doctors at Piedmont Heart Institute who provided such outstanding care for him over the years. Spalding touched and influenced so many lives, and was beloved by family, friends, colleagues, and fellow marines. Semper Fidelis. If so desired, memorials may be made to Piedmont Heart Institute c/o Piedmont Healthcare, Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 105452, Atlanta, GA 30348-5452 (donate.piedmont.org) or Wounded Warrior Project c/o Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (support.woundedwarriorproject.org). A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 11 o’clock at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta followed by a reception.