William (Bill) Hamilton White, 67, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Friday, December 12, 2014, at Stormont Vail Hospital.
He was born on October 14, 1947 to Henry A. White and Doris Hamilton White in Emporia, Kansas. He was raised in Council Grove and lived there most of his life.
Bill graduated from Council Grove High School in 1965 and after a short time in college went to the National Guard where he was activated to go to Vietnam. After a tour in Vietnam, he was discharged from the army in 1969. After his discharge from the Army, he went to Europe and bought a motorcycle in Thames Ditton, England and spent 6 months touring Europe in a tent and sleeping bag. He had many adventures and supported himself during that time making leather clothing and candles. He also worked security at some of the large rock band festivals during that time as well.
When he returned, he went back to college and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Kansas State Teachers College, now known as Emporia State University, in May 1972. He met Margaret (Peggy) F. White on September 22, 1974 and they were married September 6, 1980. Born from this union were two sons, William Hamilton White, Jr. and Timothy Aaron White.
Bill worked for Neosho Construction and C.H. White & Sons until he joined the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which later became Union Pacific Railroad on July 4, 1974. He retired from the railroad on June 1, 2013. He also was a Director in Farmers and Drovers Bank, as well as a partner in the family's farming and ranching operation.
He was in the Council Grove Swim Club. He was active in Rotary in Council Grove and was named Paul Harris Fellow in 2007. He loved to go to KU football and basketball games. He loved to watch and feed the birds. He loved to play cards, quail hunting and later deer hunting. He was skilled in the art of stained glass. However, the activity he loved the most was being with his family. He was very proud of his wife and his children as well as his sons' wives and his grandchildren. He loved being with and playing with his grandchildren. He loved to travel with his wife when her job would allow them to.
He is survived by his wife Peggy, of the home, two sons, William Hamilton White, Jr. and wife, Anita White along with twin grandchildren, Charlie and Cailin who all live in Olathe, Kansas and Timothy Aaron White and wife, Sarah White along with grandson, Hendrix, who live in Prairie Village, Kansas. He is also survived by one brother, Henry A. White, Jr., of Council Grove.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church and may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.