William "Bill" White
December 10, 2022
William (Bill) Norman White, 56, passed away unexpectedly and gained his heavenly wings early Saturday morning, December 10.
Bill was born January 26, 1966, in Des Moines, Iowa to Norman and Joan (Beauchemin) White. He was the youngest of seven beautiful children born to the couple and was raised on the east side of Des Moines.
He graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1984 and, after working part-time at the Des Moines Register and as a paper carrier during school, he followed in his father’s footsteps by working there full time.
This was the beginning of Bill’s over 30-year career in the production business for The Des Moines Register and Columbus Dispatch. During his career, he acquired many lifetime friends and touched the lives of everyone he worked with.
Bill married Kristine (Hoover) in 1999 in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and they spent 23 wonderful years together as best friends. Together they enjoyed traveling, attending concerts, long walks, watching favorite shows, and, most-of-all, being involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
Bill found his passion coaching his daughter’s softball and basketball teams over the years. Coaching youth and high school students brought him so much joy that when this chapter ended, he began umpiring softball and refereeing basketball and volleyball, often multiple times a week.
He impacted the lives of many youth, parents, coaches, and fellow umpires over the years and the local sports community will miss him dearly. He refereed the evening before he passed away and we take comfort in knowing he spent his last time doing something he so dearly loved.
Bill enjoyed a number of other activities including golfing, traveling with his family, cooking, volunteering, and watching football (especially cheering on his Las Vegas Raiders).
Although his activities and hobbies kept him very busy, he had no greater love than for his family. They gave him great joy and he looked forward to seeing and playing with his grandchildren whenever he had the opportunity.
He was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. With an incredibly compassionate heart, he was always willing to listen and help in any way he could. There was never a deal he couldn’t negotiate, a problem he couldn’t fix (he was an excellent handyman!), or a need he wasn’t willing to go the extra mile to fulfill. His smile and sense of humor were contagious and there was always laughter when he was around.
Bill will be dearly missed by many, including his wife, Kris; his sons, Matt (Sarah) Miller and Steven (Kaitlin) Miller; his daughter, Abigail White; and three grandchildren, Addison, Ares, and Arthur (Artie).
His siblings, Denise (Wilmer) Fulmer, Allen White (Chasity McAtee), Pam Bradford, Donna (Steven) Johns, Tina Brooks (Albert Wadle), and Renee (Dennis) Wulf were some of his best friends throughout life. They will struggle to carry on without the youngest of their clan. He had numerous nieces and nephews who he loved immensely. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Joan.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at Lutheran Church of Hope Ankeny, 520 NW 36th Street, Ankeny, IA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to be used for a memorial in Bill’s honor.
Mary Kmiecik
12/16/2022
I am one of Billys cousins living in Michigan. I still vision Billy has a child and how expressive he was when he was telling a story. Fortunately, I was able to see him last summer when he came to visit. I am proud to say Billy is my cousin, an Amazing Man!
My heart goes out to his wife, children and siblings! You are all what God wants of us in life! I cannot imagine the pain you are all feeling. Prayers are being sent consistently🙏
The Skerbetz Family
12/15/2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was a tremendous and most genuine husband and father. He loved coaching and we loved getting to know him through our softball years. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Tami, Scott & Rachel Vander Hart
12/14/2022
Sending our deepest sympathy to the White family. We remember many a days at the softball complex with Rachel and Abby playing both together and against each other. Bill was always there coaching and cheering the girls on! Sending prayers of comfort to all of you.
Eric Harned
12/14/2022
My heart goes out to Bills family at this time of loss so close to the holidays. I met Bill amidst our basketball reffing classes at Worthington Kilbourne just over 5 years ago. We made friends and even quizzed each other leading up to the test to get our license. Bill was such a kind and polite guy and my only regret was that we never got scheduled to do a game together before he moved back to Iowa. Again my genuine sympathies to his extended family. Eric Harned
Skyler Shellmyer
12/14/2022
Thinking about the White family. Bill had a major impact in my life growing up. Such a kind hearted man. He will be missed. Thanks for everything. Rest in Peace.
Tracy Lyn Kazmierczak
12/14/2022
My deepest sympathies go out to the family. Bill was an amazing person and a great friend. He helped me out several times and listen to me anytime I had a problem. He will be deeply missed.
Gregory Roseberry & Susan Bergwall
12/14/2022
Sending condolences and prayers to Renee and family for strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you
Jim Shandri
12/13/2022
My condolences to Kris and the white family 🙏 Bill was a colleague of mine and more important a friend for almost 40 years, when we were young we played softball games together and went fishing in South Dakota for walleye three times a year for many of years I hope we meet on the other side and well be able to do it again at least a few more times. You will always have a special place in my heart RIP my friend!!
Kelly Cline
12/13/2022
Bill was a colleague, a friend, and fellow warrior as we did our best to trasform the Columbus Dispatch production facility from a family-run opertion to a regional multi-paper production operation.
Bill was one of the first people I met in Columbus when we moved here in 2012. I am forever greatful that he was a part of my life. His laughter, sense of purpose, and our long talks will always be remembered.
I will miss you my friend. I will see you on the other side where there is no pain and no suffering. Just like in Columbus, you were the first to arrive and welcome me. Looking forward to our next meeting.
Kelly
Jerry Bowhay
12/12/2022
I had the privilege of working with Bill on the softball Diamond. He was always so upbeat. Kris, to you and your family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Battani
12/12/2022
I babysat for Abbie from a little before she was a year old to pre-K. Bill would drop Abbie off every morning after working the night shift at the register. Every morning Bill would walk into my house carrying his little peanut and smiling from ear to ear. I knew he was tired and really wanting to get home to get some sleep, but he would patiently listen to Abbie and all her little friends tell him all kinds of stories. He loved his family so much, and he just adored his Abigail.
He always had time for a kind word and a huge smile. He would of done anything for anyone and I am heartbroken that his family lost him too soon.
Chris Kozeliski
12/12/2022
Prayers for the white family. I am Glad to work softball with him in indianola..❤🙏
Eric Gilson
12/12/2022
I only knew Bill for a short time but that was enough to see this man was a caring and loving family man. I enjoyed the evenings and afternoons on the softball diamond i got to spend with Bill his patients with the coaches fans and players was inspiring to all. You will be missed Bill , gone to soon from here but i am sure you were welcomed with open arms in heaven. God Bless
Benjamin Juergens
12/12/2022
I am eternally grateful for the role you played in my life. I will never forget the memories we shared. You truly were one of the greatest people to walk this earth. I deeply regret not being able to visit you but it was always part of my plans. I will cherish your memory and never forget how you helped save Rod and I. Thank you and RIP.
Christina Consbrock
12/12/2022
Bill, you were such a great mentor and an absolute great friend! Your memory will live on forever with me! May you rest in Peace my friend!