Billie Gene White

Billie Gene White, 84, of Indianapolis, IN passed away peacefully July 7, 2019 at Fransciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis. He leaves his wife of 34 years, Vickie White (Phillips); his daughters Sherry Dannettelle; Kay Stawick (David Santarossa); Fay Boone (Randy Boone); his sons Chris Rackemann (Lynn Rackemann), Chad Little, Matt Little and Rod Little. Preceaded in death by his son John V. White, his wife Libby Ann White (Trinkle) and grandparents, John Richard Barry White and Ann Nettie White (Poole). He took extreme pride in his grandchildren, Jason Dannettelle, Jessica Dannettelle (Craig Ellis), Jeff Yeager, Libby Yeager (Jeremy Tritch), Christa Yeager, Ellen Stawick, Jack Stawick, Jenny Wheatley (Chad Wheatley), David Boone (Natalie Gordon), Katie Boone Kiel (Tyler Kiel), Josi Hesterly, Elizabeth May White (Dylan May), Erica White, Austin White, Evan White, Logan Little, Aaron Rackemann, Chase Rackemann, Nick Rackemann, Maggie Draughn, Rachel Draughn and great-grandchildren, Kailee Ellis, Connor Yeager, Hallee Yeager, Katelynn Yeager, Emma Wheatley, Caroline Wheatley, Ellie Happe, Peyton Happe, and Maggie Happe. Bill was born July 05, 1935 in Nashville, TN and moved to Indianapolis. He began his career in the field of Iron Working and became a member of Iron Workers Local No. 22 where he proudly remained until his retirement. Bill laid iron in our city’s most monumental skyscrapers and would tell the most riveting stories about his adventures at the top of the highest buildings: Like when he jumped on the top of the Hoosier Dome and said it felt like jumping on top of a gigantic hot air balloon. In 1982, he met Vickie White (Phillips), and they wed in 1985, going on to celebrate 34 years of marriage. Upon retiring from iron work in 1994, Bill didn’t slow down: He opened the Iron Workers Corner Bar in Fountain Square, Indianapolis. Bill was a rare combination of someone who had a love of thrill seeking adventures and a firm understanding of what was important - the simplicity of living a life with those you love. Although he threw some of the most epic karaoke nights and remained the life of the party until his last days, he would happily trade it all for summer cookouts in his backyard, swimming with his grandkids, telling hilarious stories and playing cards at the kitchen table with his family. Throughout his adult life, Bill was an avid hunter and racing fan. He enjoyed living to the fullest and had an acute awareness of the importance of creating memories and special moments with the ones you love. His regrets were few but consisted of the occasional Bill White fit brought on by his inability to accept loss in a graceful manner, even if it was at the hands of his 9 year old granddaughter while playing the most innocent card game, Go Fish. Bill enjoyed taking his grandchildren to Kentucky on summer vacation where the days and nights consisted of boating, setting off massive fireworks shows, cutting his grandson’s hair into his signature Bill White buzz cut, feasting on freshly picked vegetables and sitting under the night sky looking at the stars. He loved riding motorcycles, hunting and he especially loved eating home cooked meals prepared by his lovely wife Vickie; who supported him in all his glory during his heyday, and lovingly supported him physically during their last years together. A visitation will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 from 10 AM until the time of Mass at 12 PM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2905 Carson Ave, Indianapolis, IN.