William L White

William L. (Bill) White, the son of Herman and Caroline (Hicks) White was born on April 22, 1935 in Calumet, MI, the eldest of 4 children. The family moved to Ontonagon in 1948. Bill graduated from the Ontonagon High School, where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball, winning many awards for his athleticism including recognition as All Conference End his Senior year of football. He was also an avid hockey player. 

Bill married his high school sweet heart, Donna May Rogers on October 14, 1953 and they made their home in Ontonagon. Their marriage was blessed with two children Michael and Marcia. 

Mr. White worked for a time for Turner Construction during the early days of the White Pine Copper mine before joining his father-in-law F. Loren Rogers at Rogers Insurance as an Independent Insurance Agent and Realtor.  He was active in the community and served on many boards, including as Finance Chair on the Ontonagon Village Council and the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital. He was a Director of the Michigan Association of Independent Insurance Agents, President of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Insurance Agents, Board Member of the First National Bank of Ontonagon and the Gitche Gumee Oil Company, Past President of the Ontonagon Rotary Club and the Lions Club of which he also served as District Governor. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Residence Association in Pinellas Park, FL. Upon his retirement from a successful business career Bill and Donna relocated to Florida where they spent many sunny years together playing golf and socializing. Bill and Donna moved to 303 S. Seventh Street, Ontonagon in November to be near their family. 

Bill passed away quietly on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Ontonagon Aspirus Hospital. He was preceeded in death by his parents, step mother Betty (Rebo) White, in-laws F.Loren Rogers and Lyda May Rogers, brother Donald White and brother-in-law Ron Kosey. His memory will live on in the lives of his wife of 62 years Donna; son Michael Wm (Vicki); daughter Marcia Aho-Black; grandsons Corey and Matthew White, Brian (Jamie) and Jesse (Shaina) Aho; step grandchildren Lianne (Dale) Rantala and Eric Perryman;  great grandsons Holden Bradfield, Jaxon, Cooper and Carter Aho; sister Patricia (Tish) Kosey;  brother Wayne White and numerous extended family members. 

A mass of Christian burial for William L. White will be at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Ontonagon, MI on Monday, May 23rd with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and mass at 11:00, Father Michael Jacobus officiating. A luncheon will follow at the church. Burial will be at the Holy Family Cemetery, Ontonagon, with cremation at the decedent’s request.  Cane Funeral Home Ontonagon is assisting the family.  In lieu of flowers a donation to your favorite local charity or church in Bill’s name would be appreciated.  

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