Donald Ray White Sr.

June 12, 1931 - December 16, 2011
Donald Ray White Sr.

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Donald Ray White, Sr. of Leland, N. C., peacefully went home to be with his Lord on December 16, 2011 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.

Donald Ray was born in Leland, NC, on June 12, 1931, the son of the late James Thomas and Katie F. Woodcock White.

Mr. White served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He retired as the Terminal Manager of Tenneco Oil Company in Wilmington, NC after 23 years of service.

Mr. White was the founder of Little League Baseball in Leland, NC. He organized and coached from 1959 until 1975 Leland’s first little league team and joined the Wilmington Good Neighbor League, where they successfully competed. From 1976 until 1992 he was the first President of Leland Dixie Youth. In 1979, he brought the Dixie Youth World Series to Leland, this led to the renovation of the entire ball park complex.

He was a member of Faith Baptist
Church in Bolivia, NC. Where he faithfully attended and taught the adult men’s class. He was formerly a member of the Buck Horn Hunting Club. His hobbies were hunting and gardening.

He was preceded in death by one brother, James A. White, and three sisters, Hazel White Dean, Pearl White Huggins, and Beatrice White Sellars, a special grandson, Jonathan Brantley Sellars White, and two nieces, Judith Skipper Moore, and Brenda Skipper Hern.

Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Grace Sellars White of the home, a daughter, Diane White Burroughs and husband, Cliff of Brighton, Tn., two sons, Donald R. White, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Leland, and David Wayne White, Sr., of Maury, N.C., seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Dewayne Burroughs, James Henderson, Randy Roberts, Tim Fryar, Jonathan Hansen, Ken Butler, and Barry Hern, alternate. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons and adult men’s Sunday School class at Faith Baptist Church in Bolivia.

The funeral service will be held at Elah Baptist Church, Old Fayetteville Road, Leland, NC, on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 3 PM.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be officiated by Rev. W. Earl Hewett, and Rev. John M. Sellars. Interment will follow in the Nelson Cemetery, Leland, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr.Wilmington,NC 28401.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation Village Road Chapel, Leland, 525 Village Road, Leland, NC 28451 910.383.3511


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  • December 17, 2011
    Thurston and Diane Lynch says:
    Mrs. White, Diane, Donnie & David, We are so sorry to learn of your loss. Mr. Donald will be missed by all. It is our sincerest prayer that God will comfort you all during this sad time and the days to come. God bless you all.

  • December 17, 2011
    Mark & Sharon Hesson says:
    Donald will always hold a special place in my family heart.He was a wonderful christian man who shared Gods love by being a true friend to my dad (James Aldridge). and because of that friendship my dad gave his heart to the Lord.you guys are in my thought & Prayers....Sharon Hesson

  • December 17, 2011
    Diane Karpinsky Kennedy says:
    Diane and Family, My thoughts are with you at this time of your loss. It is never easy losing a parent, but when they are both gone, it truly feels as an end to a generation. Lost my Dad this year too after Mama in 2000. He is now with Miss Grace and they are both now having a grand ole time. Diane Karpinsky Kennedy

  • December 18, 2011
    Cindy Beasley says:
    Mrs.White, Donnie, Dianne, and David, You are all in our prayers and have been for some time now.

  • December 19, 2011
    Nancy Anderson says:
    Mrs. White, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I enjoyed when he would come into the bank and tell me stories about when he was growing up and just talk to me. He was a great man. He reminded me so much of my father (who passed in 3/10). You are in my thoughts and prayers.