Actually Mary, Bill and I had been going "steady " for almost a year when he died.
It was such a defining moment for so many of us in our small but seemingly sheltered world. Bill was a kind, generous, and super fun guy. I have many good memories of him and his dear sweet family, who took me to a lot of Davidson basketball games! His parents were together for 73 years. In fact, they were childhood sweethearts! Such bittersweet memories.
Many of you knew Bill better than I but I still remember him well enough. So bewildering and sad but what a testament to Bill that he is still thought of all these many years later.
Appreciate all comments on Bill White. As most know he and I were close. He lived behind me and we had many good times at backyard basketball growing up. He was better than me but I was more physical. Surprise.
His girlfriend was Cathy Surratt. Mine was Carole Tharp then. He and I did unfortunately get in stolen car with
others and do vandalism on carts at MPCC where our families were both members. Stupid? Yes.
After we went to junior court hearing with our parents is easy to imagine pressure at home. Bill and i
we're going to basketball camp at Duke or Davidson next day, Think was Sunday. He called me on phone
late afternoon and was distressed. I told him would see him tomorrow. He said he was not sure. 5-10 minutes
later his mother called our house screaming, he had found gun and put to head and pulled trigger. My Dad
went down and dragged carpet to our garage he was on. That sight I can not erase. I did, even that young
see a volital side in Bill as well as I knew him. But who could imagine. There was a memorial service for
him at his church which many of us attended. For me, his parents could not talk to me rest of their life as
I think I was such a reminder of this tragic event. For me, it also taught me to not follow others in life down bad
roads, and kept me straight thru many years. Thank you all for remembering him, I never forget him.
Thanks Gary for those heartfelt words from that tough memory. Am thinking you and Bill must have been preparing to go up to bball camp at Duke, as Bill and I had just been to bball camp at Davidson.
Bill was a huge part of all of our lives. We played JV football at AG together and hung around Foxcroft in prior summers. While in Canada on a canoe trip, I will never forget the day of receiving a letter from my mom telling me about his passing. Lobdell, McCalaster, Tim Keith and I sat around the campfire that night talking about him for hours.
Thank you Gary and Cathy. I did not know him well but remember him as kind (and funny?) from class. I learned of his death from friends. My parents made it clear that we were not to discuss it at home and since I wasn't close with his group of friends, yours is the first truly personal account I have heard. I thought of him when each of the next generation of family passed into high school as if somehow it was critical they get through that summer. Maybe too late to say but I am so sorry for your loss - not just a peer but a close friend. Thank you for sharing your memories of Bill.
Gary and Cathy, and all. These adolescent losses were such huge events for us. To be remembered is the enduring gift. My loved father, also a physician, died 2 months after Bill, shaking my world, again, in a large way. Made me an artmaker. Bill, rest in peace. We have not forgotten you 💜
I was never as close to Bill as some of you were, but he did leave a mark on me nonetheless. Or rather two marks, one physical. It would have been in 8th or 9th grade that he & I were running togther on the track, I think, near Runnymede & Colony. He had on shoes with pointed spikes, I was barefoot. Somehow his left foot raked across the top of my right foot and opened up a gash that spouted blood with a pulse. I forget how that got patched up, but it left a scar that lasted many years, which I was glad to have as long as it lasted. It seemed an apt reminder of Bill, and those crazy times.
Gary. I wasn’t in your group, but I remember it well. The story I got was identical to yours all the way down to the phone call, except I didn’t know who he called until now. How difficult for you. The moment I heard the news is one of those memories that stays vivid over time. Just wanted to reach out and say what we all know. The depth of the tragedy grows as we grow and experience all the things that were lost to him. Bill was one of 2 children I knew who committed suicide around that time. All the best to all of you.
Cathy Howser Surratt
Actually Mary, Bill and I had been going "steady " for almost a year when he died.
It was such a defining moment for so many of us in our small but seemingly sheltered world. Bill was a kind, generous, and super fun guy. I have many good memories of him and his dear sweet family, who took me to a lot of Davidson basketball games! His parents were together for 73 years. In fact, they were childhood sweethearts! Such bittersweet memories.
Doug Bethune
Many of you knew Bill better than I but I still remember him well enough. So bewildering and sad but what a testament to Bill that he is still thought of all these many years later.
Gary Coleman Baucom
i
Appreciate all comments on Bill White. As most know he and I were close. He lived behind me and we had many good times at backyard basketball growing up. He was better than me but I was more physical. Surprise.
His girlfriend was Cathy Surratt. Mine was Carole Tharp then. He and I did unfortunately get in stolen car with
others and do vandalism on carts at MPCC where our families were both members. Stupid? Yes.
After we went to junior court hearing with our parents is easy to imagine pressure at home. Bill and i
we're going to basketball camp at Duke or Davidson next day, Think was Sunday. He called me on phone
late afternoon and was distressed. I told him would see him tomorrow. He said he was not sure. 5-10 minutes
later his mother called our house screaming, he had found gun and put to head and pulled trigger. My Dad
went down and dragged carpet to our garage he was on. That sight I can not erase. I did, even that young
see a volital side in Bill as well as I knew him. But who could imagine. There was a memorial service for
him at his church which many of us attended. For me, his parents could not talk to me rest of their life as
I think I was such a reminder of this tragic event. For me, it also taught me to not follow others in life down bad
roads, and kept me straight thru many years. Thank you all for remembering him, I never forget him.
Alan McGill Mayfield
Thanks Gary for those heartfelt words from that tough memory. Am thinking you and Bill must have been preparing to go up to bball camp at Duke, as Bill and I had just been to bball camp at Davidson.
Mary Mikell (McDonald)
Sorry Cathy! Memories are funny things!
James Laseter (Laseter)
Bill was a huge part of all of our lives. We played JV football at AG together and hung around Foxcroft in prior summers. While in Canada on a canoe trip, I will never forget the day of receiving a letter from my mom telling me about his passing. Lobdell, McCalaster, Tim Keith and I sat around the campfire that night talking about him for hours.
Janet Hall Andrews
Thank you Gary and Cathy. I did not know him well but remember him as kind (and funny?) from class. I learned of his death from friends. My parents made it clear that we were not to discuss it at home and since I wasn't close with his group of friends, yours is the first truly personal account I have heard. I thought of him when each of the next generation of family passed into high school as if somehow it was critical they get through that summer. Maybe too late to say but I am so sorry for your loss - not just a peer but a close friend. Thank you for sharing your memories of Bill.
Charlotte 'Chotty' Hutson Wrenn
Gary and Cathy, and all. These adolescent losses were such huge events for us. To be remembered is the enduring gift. My loved father, also a physician, died 2 months after Bill, shaking my world, again, in a large way. Made me an artmaker. Bill, rest in peace. We have not forgotten you 💜
Ernest William Machen III
Greetings long-lost friends,
I was never as close to Bill as some of you were, but he did leave a mark on me nonetheless. Or rather two marks, one physical. It would have been in 8th or 9th grade that he & I were running togther on the track, I think, near Runnymede & Colony. He had on shoes with pointed spikes, I was barefoot. Somehow his left foot raked across the top of my right foot and opened up a gash that spouted blood with a pulse. I forget how that got patched up, but it left a scar that lasted many years, which I was glad to have as long as it lasted. It seemed an apt reminder of Bill, and those crazy times.
Rebecca Blanton (Blanton)
Gary. I wasn’t in your group, but I remember it well. The story I got was identical to yours all the way down to the phone call, except I didn’t know who he called until now. How difficult for you. The moment I heard the news is one of those memories that stays vivid over time. Just wanted to reach out and say what we all know. The depth of the tragedy grows as we grow and experience all the things that were lost to him. Bill was one of 2 children I knew who committed suicide around that time. All the best to all of you.