Paul Charles White of Williamsburg, died on April 23, 2014 at the age of 56 due to complications of type 1 diabetes which he lived with for 35 years. He was a self-employed residential designer who brought great happiness to many clients in designing their dream homes in Williamsburg, VA and beyond. His beautiful and functional designs have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens Home Ideas and other home design magazines.
Paul was also an accomplished builder and designed and built his first home as a solo project in his native Ogden, UT. During his life, he enjoyed sailing, biking, photography, drawing, painting, traveling, gardening, cooking, and listening to great pianists like George Winston and David Lanz. He was a masterful woodworker who created several family heirlooms that will preserve the memory of his artistic soul. Two of his favorite places to travel were Maine and the English countryside with his wife, Lael. In more recent years, he expertly restored an old Airstream trailer, and enjoyed a few camping trips around Tidewater, VA. In 2010, Paul and Lael became grandparents to their first grandson, Benjamin Bryan Whybrow, who has brought them both great happiness and joy. Marika, Paul’s daughter, remembers with fondness Paul’s patient and loving guidance with her math homework over the years, as well as his support of all her pursuits. Paul was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and despite dealing with serious illness, was able to enjoy James Taylor live with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City last year.
Admired and remembered for his many creative talents that brought tremendous joy to his family, friends, and clients over many years, Paul will be deeply missed. He is a reminder to all of us that regardless of not having a choice in the matter, living with a challenging disease is a brave path that renders the body weak, but the spirit strong. He fought his illness for a long time and is finally free to rest in the love and compassion of his God.
Paul is survived by his wife, Lael Rose Davis White of Williamsburg; daughter and her partner, Marika Rose Pickett and Robert James Whybrow; grandson, Benjamin Bryan Whybrow, all of Auckland, NZ; brother Kenneth (Rosa Lee) White of Franklin, NC; a sister RaNae Call of Farr West, UT; brother Eldon (Valene) White of Ft. Worth, TX; and mother-in-law, Marilyn Rose Keyes of Williamsburg, VA. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their families. Paul will also be sorely missed by his beloved dog, Luke. He is preceded in death by his mother, whom he adored, Norma White, and his father, Delmar White, a sister Carol Jean White; and a brother-in-law Kent Call.
The family will receive friends on May 3 between 10:00 and 11:00 AM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, where a memorial service will begin at 11:00 AM.
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