Mr. Odie Bill White Obituary (1921

Odie “Bill” White, 98, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019, at his home in Montpelier. He was born on February 7, 1921, in Clay County, to the late Joel “Joe” and Lela Mae Brand White. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Allene Cogsdell White, his nine siblings, and a great-grandson, Hugh Jackson Hindman. Bill was an Army Veteran of World War II, obtaining the rank of Sergeant and was a squad leader, served in New Guinea and fought in the Battle of Mindanao, Philippines. He was a farmer and retired with 30 years from the Mississippi Department of Transportation. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, woodworking, and gardening. He was known in the community as Papa White, the avid Mississippi State University fan. His tomatoes were his pride and joy and he loved sharing them. In his later years, he knitted caps and lovingly gave them to his friends, medical teams, nursing homes, cancer centers, and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. His motto for life was “It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice.” Even through the end of his life, Papa White was a stoical soldier and fighter. He never gave up hope, remained positive, and was making plans for his next garden. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at Palestine United Methodist Church in Montpelier and a service honoring his life will follow with Reverend Eddie Brock and Reverend Jason Middleton officiating. Survivors include his wife, Ervie Billingsley White, three daughters: Glenda Nadeau (Bill) of Montpelier, Nora Welborn (David) of Columbus, Georgia, and Joyce Billingsley Gilliam (Lane) of Millport, Alabama: son, Larry Billingsley (Joann) of Mexia, Alabama: six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Mike Ware, Matt Bennett, Blake Allred, Bennett Allred, Andrew Cole-Tyson, Daniel Hindman, Keith Thompson, and Ricky Alford. Honorary Pallbearers will be Glen Bray, Scotty Wooten, Buzz Frances, Chuck Portera, Bill Nadeau, David Welborn, Harlan Billingsley, Everett (Hoot) White, Earnest White, Dennis White, Kenny White, Curtis Middleton, Bill Sims and Chris Guinn. Special recognition to his sister-in-law, Peggy White, JoAnn White Davis, Virginia Langley, JoAnn Guinn, all of his sitters, Doctors, and Kindred Hospice Caregivers. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is honored to serve the White Family and invite you to share memories at www.calvertfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Palestine Cemetery Fund, c/o Roxie Brock, 611 Joe Stevens Road, Cedar Bluff, 39741.