William H. White

William (Bill) was born on February 14, 1940, to the late William and Sarah White in Hancock, Michigan. He is one of four children and leaves behind his sisters, Maryanne Lexson of Houghton Canal, Vera Hazel of Battle Creek, MI, and Carol (Joe) Santti of Wixom, MI.

In 1958, Bill graduated high school and enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at Montauk Air Force Station on Long Island, New York. After his short tour of duty, he headed out west to Washington state. He enrolled in Everett Community College and obtained his Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering. To put himself through school he took a job working at the Providence Hospital where he met the cutest nurse he had ever seen. On June 12, 1965, he married his sweetheart Theonis (Toni) Coutts. Bill and Toni had 4 children and enjoyed camping, fishing, scouting, and spending time together. Bill was also an avid Ham Radio Operator (NU8V) and aviator. He enjoyed flying small Cessnas and helicopters.

Bill re-enlisted in the Air Force and had a long 22-year career working in radar maintenance and living all over the country and in Germany. He retired as a SMSgt in Bangor Maine and found himself going back to school. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He returned to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and opened his business he called Magma Inc. Bill was always very active and a perpetual learner. You could see him sitting reading a calculus book, practicing his Finnish, or taking a class like Toastmasters. He was always doing something. In retirement, he decided to take a side job driving a bus for a local company and drove the Michigan Tech Band and Hockey team. He enjoyed hanging out with the students.

Throughout his life, he was always volunteering for many organizations and was also a member of many clubs. Locally he was a member of the South Range Eagles 1122, The Alfred Erickson American Legion Post 186 in Hancock, and volunteered at The Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.

The joy of Bill’s life was playing his accordion. He was self-taught at an early age. If you knew him, you heard him play. He loved volunteering to play for the local nursing homes, bringing music to the residents, and putting a smile on their faces. He never wanted to be paid and took a cup of coffee as his fee. Bill played for many events and private parties from Bank lobbies to Churches, he was happy and willing. You could catch him for 23 years playing at the Aura Jamboree up on stage with a smile on his face. His biggest accomplishment was when he played with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra for Fiddler on the Roof performing at the Rozsa Center in April of 2013. Bill and his music will be missed greatly by his family and community.

Bill leaves to hold dear his loving memory his children, David White of Sarasota, FL, Connie (Ken) Gardiner of Camden, Maine, and Mary (Steve) Kaipio of Boston location. His grandchildren Meagan Stromer of Seattle, WA, Tom Libby of Brewer, Maine, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his son William Henry White, aka Mr. Bill, his brother-in-law Jerry Hazel, and his brother-in-law David Lexson.

A memorial service for Bill is tentatively planned for June 2024.

The family would like to express our thanks for the loving care and help from Hospice and Aspirus Hospital in Laurium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly at 527 Hancock St, Hancock MI 49930 906 -482-6944.

To view Bill’s obituary or to send condolences online to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.