William Paul White

1937 - 2024

William Paul White

October 22, 1937 - April 10, 2024

Raleigh, North Carolina - The Rev. Dr. William Paul White, 86, died peacefully on April 10, 2024 with his family by his side. Paul White was born on October 22, 1937 in Spartanburg, SC to Dean Cudd White and Elizabeth Bishop White. Paul and his brothers grew up with their parents in the Sandhills of North Carolina. Paul graduated from Hoke County High School in Raeford and then graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. To pursue the ministry into which he had been called, Paul would go on to get his Master's in Divinity and his Doctorate of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary (now, Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, VA.

It was in Richmond that Paul met the love of his life, Susan Kuykendall White of Winchester, VA. They married in 1964 and followed calls that took them to Wilmington, DE, Goochland, VA, Powhatan, VA and ultimately to Richmond, VA, where they raised their boys, William Dean White and David Sloan White. In addition to the churches that Paul served, he also taught English in the inner-city schools of Richmond for a number of years and spent some time in corporate work in Richmond. After 15 years of serving as the head pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA, Paul and Susan retired to Cary, NC to be near family. Their lives revolved around their rose gardens, their family, their friends, their books and classical music. Paul didn't miss watching a game when his beloved Tar Heels were playing.

As a boy, the center of his family's life was the church. Raeford Presbyterian Church was the hub of their faith, their social lives and she proved to be the foundation upon which Paul forged a life-long ministry. Paul was nothing if not irreverent, challenging and intellectual. He was faithful, loyal and he played favorites. He spoke truth to power and he paid dearly for that. He championed the underdog and the overlooked. He was a child of the covenant.

Paul is survived by his sons and their wives, Dean (Clancy) and David (Ann), his grandchildren, Madeline Sloane White, Bennett Sloan White, Jackson Christopher White and William Bain White. Paul is also survived by his brother, John Calvin White (Linda), nieces and nephews that adored him, and his sister-in-law, Pat White. Paul was predeceased by his brother, James Dean White.

Paul's family would like to thank his physicians, nurses and the fine and compassionate professionals at Magnolia Glen who took such good care of him. Paul leaves behind his dear friend, Judy Brody, who brought him so much joy and pleasure and care in the last year of his life and for whom his family is so grateful.

In lieu of flowers, Paul's family requests that donations be made to Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities and Alex's Lemonade Stand.

A Witness to the Resurrection will take place at White Memorial Presbyterian Church (Raleigh, NC) on Wednesday, May 22th, 2024 at 2PM.