Edward White's Obituary
WHITE, EDWARD Ed White of Rockwall, Texas joined his family in heaven on January 1, 2007 in Rowlett. Mr. White made his home in Terrell from 1947 until 1989 and Garland until he relocated to Rockwall in 2003. Mr. White was born July 12, 1923 to Thomas W. White and Maud Essie Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers; Claud, Lewis, Gordon, Lonnie, T.W, Avery and Bill; his sisters, Mabel Baer and Elizabeth Ogle; his nieces Jennifer and Maria and his beloved wife of 49 years, Willa Mae Hubbard. He is survived by his loyal companion, Angus, his nieces, nephews and many, many friends. “Pore” Ed White was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His Mother passed away when he was but six years old and he raised himself on the streets and fields of rural Arkansas with occasional encouragement from his father. He joined the Navy in August 1941 and was assigned to the USS Blue at Pearl Harbor. Luckily, Ed was training in San Diego on December 7. In August 1942 during the bombardment at Guadalcanal, Blue was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer Kawakaze. The explosion killed nine of Ed’s shipmates. Luckily, Ed was saved. Blue rests at the bottom of Ironbottom Sound with 49 other ships sunk during that ferocious battle. In February 1943, Ed was assigned to the USS Endicott of the Atlantic Fleet and he saw the world. He escorted convoys to North Africa, Ireland, Panama and Trinidad. His ports of call included Casablanca, Londonderry, Portland, Port Arthur, Brooklyn, Norfolk and Port of Spain. Luckily, Endicott was badly damaged just 12 days before the Normandy invasion and D-Day came and went with Ed and Endicott undergoing repairs in England. He saw service in the Mediterranean before returning to New York, where Ed roundly celebrated New Year’s Eve 1944. Ed was discharged in September 1945 having served the entire duration of the war. He went straight to New Orleans and proudly partied away his entire muster in two weeks. He was twenty-two. He and Mae were married in 1947 and after a brief stint of ranching in New Mexico, he became a driver for Schepps Dairy in 1951, retiring from the very same job in 1993. Ed was proud of his work and loyal to his company. Ed’s passions were Lucky Strikes, Budweiser, pretty women, Dallas sports and dominoes (in that order). Animals were his softest spot. No person ever wondered where they stood with Ed White. He was a straight talking man, blunt and salty. He was unwaveringly loyal to his friends and rarely redeemed an enemy. Yet, his toughness was paper thin and his kindness surprising and gentle. He will be missed by many, forgotten by none. If there are jobs in Heaven, Ed will be St. Peter’s assistant sitting near the gate and watching those approaching. He’ll easily sum up their character with an unforgettable nickname or utter an expression that only he could get away with, even in the Beyond.
What’s your fondest memory of Edward?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edward?
Share a story where Edward's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edward you’ll never forget.
How did Edward make you smile?