William Bream White Jr., 79, of Montgomery, died June 12, 2012, at home. He was born March 24, 1933, and was the son of the late William B. and Velma Young White Sr. He was also preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Melba White; his son, John White; and sister-in-law, Betty Carson.
Bill graduated from Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, and attended West Virginia University. He was drafted into the U.S. Army before graduation, and upon returning from the Army he married the love of his life, Melba Lou Fitzwater White, who preceded him in death in 2007, shortly after their 50th anniversary. He was the third generation owner and operator of the family business, White's Department Store in Montgomery, and had served on the Montgomery City Council. He was a member and elder of Montgomery Presbyterian Church, and an active choir member. He was a former member of the Montgomery General Hospital board of directors, and a member of Coal Valley No. 74 AF&AM in Montgomery and of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Charleston and the Beni Kedem Shrine in Charleston, where he was formerly a member of the Gold Band. After retiring from the family business, he received his B.A. degree in history from West Virginia State College. He also retired from the West Virgin! ia Governor's Office of Housing and Economic Development.
Surviving are his children, Ann Neese and her husband, Mike, of Montgomery, Alice White and her companion, Betty Nichols, of Pooler, Ga., and William B. White III of Charleston; grandchildren, Christopher Neese and his wife, Devon, of Charleston and Ashley Hawn and her husband, Josh, of Wilmington, N.C.; sister-in-law, Helen Fitzwater Lodge of Charleston; and brother-in-law, Tom Carson of Montgomery.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Montgomery Christian Church with the Rev. Jim Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, with Masonic graveside rites.
Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church.
O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com.