Harold "Hank" James White

Wow! What a legacy our 94 year old left behind. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Hank, passed away peacefully and went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 18th, 2012 with his family surrounding him. He was born February 24th, 1917 in Anaconda, Montana to William and Mary White. He was reborn on March 27th, 2011 when he accepted Christ into his life as his personal savior. Hank was born an identical twin with his brother Edward. The family moved from Anaconda, Montana to Seattle, Washington to Ovando, Montana and then settled in Priest River, Idaho in 1922. Hank married his sweetheart, Abbie E. Wylie, on May 29, 1937 in Priest River, Idaho. Hank and Ed were inseparable growing up and always had wild stories to tell. After serving together in the Army during WW11, working in the CCCs and driving truck on the Alaskan Highway, the championship Priest River loggers, settled in Spokane, Washington with their wives. It was there, Hank and Ed decided to go into the truck mechanic business. After not being able to get concrete block to build their shop, they decided to buy a used hand block making press from Sears and Roebuck Co. They then made the block for their shop themselves. However, as quick as they made block they had people wanting to buy them. It did not take the two brothers long to figure out that they should go into the block making business instead of the truck mechanic business. So in 1947, “The White’s Concrete Block Company” was founded, now know as White Block Company Incorporated. Hank and Ed retired 30 years later, in 1977. Hank worked and played hard his whole life at work and at home. There was never a dull moment if you were around Hank “Gramps”. He would work on and fix anything you brought him, always had an idea and opinion on everything, but yet would always be willing to listen to what you had to say. He made many memories with his family at a concrete block cabin he built in the early 60s at Priest Lake Idaho. Every Friday night during the summertime, he would gather up his wife and his 5 grandchildren and head for the lake. Gramps taught us to fish, pick huckleberries, goonie-board, and inspired and encouraged each one of us to do our best! Hank “Gramps” will truly be missed. Hank and his wife Abbie would ALWAYS drop everything no matter what they were doing to anyone who stopped by to see them. They were truly an example of humility and self sacrificing love.He is survived by his two children and their spouses; Gail and Ben Corigliano and Mike and Nancy White both of Spokane; grand-children, Bruce (Sherry) Corigliano, Gary (Lori) Corigliano, Sherri (Jim) Kiehn, Barry (Lorie) White, Michelle (Rick) Sutherland; nine great-grandchildren; his twin brother Ed; younger sister Clara McMahon; younger brother Tom (Kaye) White and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years Abbie, daughter Carol Ann and his older brother William. A private memorial service for family only will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Road. After the memorial, we will have “A Celebration of Life” time from noon to 2:00pm, open to family and friends at Valley Point Church, 714 S. Pines. A graveside service will be held later this spring at Priest River Cemetery, Priest River Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to charity of your choice.