William J. White

William J. White, 96, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center.  He was born in Ft. Wayne and was a 1943 graduate of Central High School.  He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Army’s 552nd Field Battalion.  In June of 1944 (D+ 22 & 23) the Battalion debarked on the French Coast at Utah Beach and he thereafter served in various European countries.  He retired from the Ft. Wayne Fire Department after serving from 1949 to 1976, as a Fire Fighter, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief.  He was the senior retired living member at the time of his death.  He also retired from Insurance and Risk Management.  He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  Surviving are his sons, Alan J. (Kathy) White, Thomas J. (Ellen) White and his daughters, Lori M. (Mike) Yonkman and Debra A. (Jim) Kocks; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Mary Tyler, Linda Tyler and Mary Ann (Denzel) Archer.  William was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth A. (Tyler) White and infant daughter, Denise E. White; his parents, Freeman and Mary White, and sisters, Helen M. White and Carolyn (White) Hak.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Friday, March 26, 2021 at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Rd with calling one hour prior. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 25, 2021, 4-7pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial contributions may be made to Masses or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home.