William White Obituary - (1938 - 2021) - Resident Of Pebble Beach, CA - Monterey Herald

William David "Bill" White

1938 - 2021

William David "Bill" White
June 25, 1938 - January 13, 2021
Resident of Pebble Beach
William David White of Pebble Beach passed away peacefully on January 13, 2021. He was born on June 25, 1938 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C., to retired U.S. Navy Captain William White and Marietta (Giampaolo) White, and is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara, daughter Danelle, son David, daughter-in-law Kristen and grandchildren, Michael and Madeleine.
After graduating from San Jose State University in 1964 and obtaining his teaching credential, Bill began his career at George C. Marshall Elementary School in Seaside, before moving to Foothill Elementary School in Monterey where he taught fifth grade for 36 years. Teaching brought him great joy and over the years he kept in contact with many of his former students.
Upon retirement in 2000, Bill continued as a volunteer English tutor to spouses of foreign students attending the Naval Postgraduate School.
A resident of the Monterey Peninsula for more than 60 years, Bill very much enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a car and sports enthusiast, and enjoyed various outdoor activities, including walks by the ocean. During their retirement he and Barbara travelled extensively, with London being a favorite, where Bill always enjoyed a pint of beer at the local pub.
The family would like to thank the Hospice of the Central Coast and Dr. Hausdorff for their kindness and compassion.
A private family service will be held at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey. To send your condolences or share a memory, go to www.bermudezfamilyfunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association.

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Published in Monterey Herald Obits on Jan. 22, 2021.

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4 entries

January 23, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Mr. White, my 5th grade teacher at Foothill Elementary, was not only an outstanding teacher, but also smart, charismatic, funny, and charming. He had a gift of connection. He inspired me to be great, academically, athletically and socially, at an age that probably mattered the most for me. I distinctly remember his voice, his love for US History, and his affectionate nickname for me...“Peaches.” He is one of two of my all time favorite teachers.
I stopped by to visit him a few times years ago on my bike, and once with my friend and classmate, Willy Fekeci. I remember his street name like I looked it up a minute ago. We had great conversations. I’m sorry that I didn’t do that more recently and more often.
Bless you and thank you, Bill White, for many indelible memories. You made a big difference in my life. Barbara and family, I am sorry for your loss.
Kathy Johnsen aka Kate Hart

Kate Hart (Kathy Johnsen)

Student

January 22, 2021

Dear Mr. White was one of those teachers who spoke openly, honestly and seemed to carry with him a deep respect for students, like not many adults did. I was lucky enough to get to know him at Foothill School, during its first year of opening. Mr. White was the teacher in the open space next to mine. Then, years later he was my son's fifth grade teacher too. Turns out, he had many generations in his class and had a sparkle in his eye whenever he had that experience. Memories include that assignment he gave where he passed a one page paper around with a list of things to do. The first thing said: Read every instruction on this page first. Buried in the list was the direction: Ignore everything you are directed to do on this page. Life long lesson in reading directions. What about that electricity experiment he showed through a clear glass bottle? How he changed into sweat pants and donned a whistle around his neck for PE class? He taught us how to play dodge ball and modeled the importance of exercising. He was the only teacher I can recall who played with us outside. We exchanged Xmas cards every year and I valued every one. Mr. White thanks for your enormous contribution to many generations of us! With all my love to his family.

Cristina Fekeci

Friend

January 22, 2021

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

American Heart Association

January 21, 2021

“The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones." Shakespeare from Julius Caesar.
I do not believe this for a second when it comes to Mr. White, The good that he did will live long after his passing. You are lucky, if in your life, by chance you happen to come upon a person, who, albeit be a brief encounter compared to a lifetime, so impacts your life that you remember his words, his actions, his impressions, his guidance, his faith, his love and devotion, long after your encounter ends. And so it was with our fifth grade teacher Mr. White.

For me, at that time, at such a tender age, it was a turbulent time at home, with two parents going through a bitter divorce. But Mr. White was a constant positive, reassuring and calming factor. I am not sure I could have done it without him. My sanctuary was my class room and Mr. White made it that way by caring for all of us.

I feel like the writer at the end of the film” Stand By Me”, who recalls his childhood and says goodbye to an old friend who he hasn’t seen it years. Kathy Johnsen and I saw Mr. White a few years ago, after his retirement in his home in Pebble Beach. I got the distinct impression that this was just another of his students coming by and reminiscing. But I failed to share with him the words that I am writing now.

Thank you, Mr. White. Thank you for being a teacher, but more than a teacher. You were an inspiration and mentor, and you helped us for 9 months, to be better person, guiding us all along.

Thank you.

Willy Fekeci
Foothill Elementary School 1969

Wil Fekeci

Student

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