Fred Milton White

Maj. (Ret.) Fred Milton White, 85, of Elizabethtown, passed away at Baptist Health Hardin Hospital on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with his wife and daughter by his side. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sandra Hayden; his daughter, Shellee Godfrey (Chris); his two grandchildren, Micaela Godfrey and Hannah Lee (JB) of Norfolk, VA; and a great-grandson, Isaac Lee. He has two nephews, Jody White (Jolene) of Owensboro, KY, and Anderson White (Andrea) of Fishers, IN, as well as a niece, Stacey Easterling (Brooks) of Jupiter, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luke and Martha Bolton White of Williamsburg, KY, and his brothers, Charles of Williamsburg, KY, Raymond (Mary Ellen) of Louisville, KY, and Willard (Peggy) of Jupiter, FL.

Fred was born on July 8, 1939, in Harlan, KY. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1957. He was an outstanding basketball player and led the team to the 50th District Championship in 1957 and was selected to the All-Tournament Team and ALL-SEKC First Team.

After graduating from high school in 1957, Fred attended Campbellsville College and Lindsey Wilson College, continuing his basketball career. In 1958 he joined the U.S. Army, having been in the Williamsburg National Guard since 1955. During his years of service, Fred served overseas in Korea, Vietnam, two tours in Germany, and England. His stateside duties saw him stationed in Fort Knox, KY; Fort Dix, NJ; Fort Benning, GA; and Fort Leonard-Wood, MO. Fred continued his basketball success, winning several Army basketball competitions. Other recognitions included being the winner of six straight Fort Dix Post Drill Competitions.

Fred was a leadership graduate of Officer Candidate School, a distinguished graduate of Officer Candidate School, and ranked within the 1% Army-wide Selection Zone for College Degree Completion. He received his BA degree in Psychology from the University of Tampa in 1972 and he earned a Masters of Public Service degree from Western Kentucky University in 1978. While stationed at Fort Knox, KY in 1977-78, he served as the Alcohol and Drug Control Officer and was the first Community Life Coordinator of Fort Knox, working with three mayoral precincts.

During his military career, Fred White served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. During this time, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and the US Vietnam Service Medal. Other awards earned during his military career include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist’s Wings Badge, and Drill Sgt.’s Badge. His professional affiliations included the Military Officers’ Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.

After his retirement as a Major in the U.S. Army, with 23 years of service, Fred became Director of Adjustment Services for United Mercantile Agencies in Louisville, KY, a position he held from 1979-2001. In 2009, Fred was formally inducted into the Williamsburg High School Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer and billiards player, and he thoroughly enjoyed following University of Kentucky basketball.

There will be a graveside service with full military honors at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, in Radcliff, KY, on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.