Ollie Wilford White Jr.

Ollie Wilford White, Jr., age 100, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 2, 1923, in Florence, Kansas, Ollie was a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, who touched the lives of everyone he met with his playful sense of humor, kindness, and wisdom.

He was the surviving member of the White family of 3 brothers and 1 sister living in Peru Kansas. He graduated from Peru High School in 1941. In 1945 he married Helen Elizabeth Boone, his childhood sweetheart from Peru, Kansas, and began his college studies at Kansas State University. He was drafted into the military before finishing his first year at Kansas State University and joined the US Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

After Navy boot camp in Idaho, he qualified for Fire Control School in San Diego CA and volunteered for submarine duty. He served two patrols on the USS Sea Dragon (Patrols 11 and 12) where he earned his submarine qualifications and Dolphins insignia.

Reassigned to the USS Flying Fish heading for patrol off of Japan, he was on the Wheel when the Captain went to the Bridge and ordered “Right Full Rudder, come to course (which was 180 degrees from the present course). He announced to the crew that the war was over, and we were going back to Pearl Harbor.

The USS Flying Fish returned to New London Connecticut where Helen joined him, and he was discharged from the US Navy March 15, 1946. During his Navel career Ollie was awarded the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

In September 1946, Ollie and Helen returned to Kansas State University while Helen worked as a registered nurse. The first two sons Tom (1946) and Bob (1948) were born at Manhattan Kansas while Ollie was finishing his degree and Jim (1956) was born in Ardmore Oklahoma.

After receiving his Electrical Engineering degree, he started his career with Sinclair Oil Company working at Nowata with additional assignments in Garber, Tulsa, Ardmore and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In June 1962, the family moved to Monahans, and in 1965 they moved to Houston Texas following the merger of Sinclair and Atlantic Richfield oil companies. After his retirement from Atlantic Richfield, he worked several years as a Drilling Supervisor in Tripola Libya and Tehran Iran. During their time overseas they took advantage of visiting many European countries along with skiing in the Alps in Switzerland. They reminisced often about their travels with wonderful memories. He celebrated his 100th birthday with his extended family in Fredericksburg at the National Museum of the Pacific War where Ollie was honored for his service and has a plaque in the Memorial Courtyard of the Museum. The gathering consisted of four generations of family with many meeting cousins for the first time.

Ollie was passionate about telling stories, spending time with family, and playing cards. He was beloved and known for his stories, laughter, and unconditional love. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he was at as many games as possible, and he cherished every moment spent with them, whether it was going to get pedicures or simply sharing dinner with family.

He moved to a retirement home after Helen’s death for a couple of years. In his 90’s he spent his final years with his loving Granddaughter Mary and her daughters in Spring Texas where he taught the great granddaughters to drive and participated in their school activities. His purpose in life at that time was to see his great-granddaughters reach middle school and he was blessed to see one graduate from college and the other begin college. He was one month shy from turning 101 and passed peacefully into eternity.

Ollie was predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers 1 sister, and his wife Helen. Ollie is survived by his 3 sons, 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, The pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

A visitation for Ollie will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A committal service will occur Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ollie’s honor to Wounded Warriors or The National Museum of the Pacific War.

His legacy of love, strength, and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.