James William White's Obituary
James William White of Fayetteville, AR passed away on January 8th, 2024 with his mother Billie, youngest brother Aaron and wife Shannon by his side.
James was born as James William on November 20, 1959 in Kingsville, TX. He was welcomed into the open and loving arms of his father Lavon White and mother Billie, who had already decided their first son would be named James William, at 8:30 pm on July 23, 1961. Over the next eleven years, James became the older brother of three siblings. He enjoyed the role of being a big brother and took advantage of the role to the fullest.
James attended Greenwood (AR) High School and pulled some of the greatest pranks that had ever been seen at that time and survived to graduate in 1978. James attended WestArk Community College before transferring to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1983.
James married his high school sweetheart, Robin McKinzie, on August 14th, 1981. Together they welcomed three children into the world. James enjoyed coaching his kids’ basketball, baseball and softball teams, even when the kids didn’t love it themselves. He was a “bit” meticulous – some might say a perfectionist.
James loved chocolate and ice cream, but not chocolate ice cream – always believing he should determine how “chocolatey” his ice cream should be. He loved M&Ms, Hershey’s Kisses and Pizza – not necessarily together, though could be paid by family to be a craftsman on home projects by any combination of the three. James did not like green beans. James loved animals, especially dogs, being near the ocean, and riding his motorcycle.
James lost Robin to cancer in 2007 but was fortunate to find love again and married Shannon McAllister, gaining three bonus children. James and Shannon attended Cross Church in Fayetteville.
James was preceded in death by his father Lavon White, wife Robin McKinzie White (1981-2007), and son James Patrick Thomas Johnson.
James is survived by his wife, Shannon McAllister of the home; mother Bille White of Greenwood; children Brian (and Samantha) White of Springdale, McKinzie (and Alex) Jeffrey of Niceville, FL, and Hunter (and Alexis) White of Little Rock, Shelby Johnson and Adam Johnson both of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Kale and Booker Jeffrey, Heidi, Timmy and Audrey White, Apolline and Milou Cellers; siblings, Ed (and Jo Ellen) White of Mountain Home, Aaron (and Amy) White of Greenwood and Jessica (and Mike) Lynch of Fayetteville; and many nieces and nephews.
James always knew he was Lavon and Billie’s son, but he also knew there were more people in the world who loved him. When he was first contacted by his biological siblings, he accepted the invitation to meet them but on his home turf with his mom and dad by his side. James gained four bonus siblings, each of whom he is survived by; Betty Moreland (and Ralph) of Palacious, TX, Eugene (and Sally) Manning of Waynesboro, PA and Rosa Lee (Joyce) Skillern of Temple, TX and Shirley Ann (Wendy) Gainan of Padre Island, TX.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 2:00 PM at the Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. To leave a tribute or watch the live stream of the service, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.
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