ROANOKE, VA - Retired teacher, historian, genealogist, and church organist, William B. (Billy) White, Jr, age 87, died October 1 at South Roanoke Nursing Home.
He was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on March 3, 1929, the son of the late W. Boyce and Julia M. (Robinson) White. He was a graduate of Rock Hill High School, and the University of South Carolina, earning both B.A. and M.A. degrees. He started his teaching career in 1952 in the Clover public schools. He taught in the Clover schools from 1952-1958, at Winthrop University Training School (Rock Hill) from 1958 to 1965, and at Rock Hill High School from 1969 to 1986.
He served as a church organist for over five decades to three churches: First Presbyterian (Rock Hill), St. John’s United Methodist (Rock Hill) and First Presbyterian Church of York, South Carolina. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill, the Sons of the American Revolution, the York County Historical Society, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland. He served on the Board of Education of the state of South Carolina from 1967-1971.
His major interests were genealogy and local history, with emphasis on the early history of York County and Rock Hill. His lifelong research into genealogy yielded a treasure trove of historical information unavailable elsewhere on many early families of South Carolina. His research resulted in the publication of numerous articles and books. Eight of his more significant historical works are:
1. Plaxico-Robinson (1958) [with Mendenhall]. An Account of Two Ancient Presbyterian Families of Upper South Carolina.
2. The Sesquicentennial History of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 1808-1958, York County, South Carolina [with Bailey] (1958)
3. History of the First Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill, South Carolina from 1869-1969 (1969)
4. First Presbyterian Church, York, South Carolina. 150th Anniversary [with Hart, Lowry, O’Leary] (1992)
5. Representative Descendants of the Scotch-Irish Brothers Moses and Hugh White c. 1700-2000 (2000)
6. The Ross-Chestnut-Sutton Families of South Carolina (2002)
7. Along the Land’s Ford Road, Vol. I and II: A History of the Ante-Bellum Village of Rock Hill, South Carolina (2008)
8. The Genesis of York [County and Village, South Carolina], 1785-1850, Parts I and II (2015)
Mr. White’s love of teaching and his ability to inspire his students was one of his enduring characteristics. His teaching skills were widely recognized. He was honored to be “Teacher of the Year” for South Carolina twice during his career, the only teacher in South Carolina to be so recognized. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan presented him a “Certificate of Excellence” in teaching and conscientious contribution to education as part of the Presidential Scholars Program at a White House ceremony.
Mr. White’s goal was to ignite the hidden potential residing in gifted students. Many of his students went on to successful careers. To honor him, one of his former students [H. Sadler Poe, Esquire, of Atlanta, Georgia] established the William Boyce White, Jr. Scholarship at Princeton University in 2010. This scholarship provides funding annually to gifted freshman students at Princeton University. The citation of the scholarship states in part:
“Billy" White was one of those teachers who made English literature and even grammar come alive for his students. The high standards he set were never chores, but rewards his students eagerly sought… He opened his students’ minds and eyes to opportunities and possibilities that others could never imagine.”
Surviving are his brother, Dr. Robert M. White and sister-in-law Carol Cashion White of Roanoke, Virginia and nieces Anna C. W. Bozard and husband Brandon Bozard of Roanoke and Sara Taylor White of New York, New York and a cousin Julia D. Robbins and husband Delaine of Lake Wylie, South Carolina.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 4 at 2:00 PM at Laurelwood Cemetery, Rock Hill with the Reverend Richard Carr and the Reverend Mark Verdery officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 234 E. Main Street, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730.