William E. White, Sr.

Visitation: Friday, August 5, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Grace Powell Church, 7600 Liberty Road, North, Powell, OH 43065

Celebration of Life: Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Powell Church, 7600 Liberty Road, North, Powell, OH 43065

William E. White, Sr. of Powell, Ohio was called home to be with the Lord on July 28, 2022. William was born February 19, 1966, in Lima, Ohio to James White, Jr. and Carline White. William was a proud Lima Senior High Spartan and completed his collegiate career at The Ohio State University where he excelled both academically as a Metallurgic Engineer, and athletically as a Buckeye football standout and captain.

William continued as a professional athlete for 11 years in the National Football League playing for the Detroit Lions (6), the Kansas City Chiefs (3), and the Atlanta Falcons (2) where he played his last game in Super Bowl XXXIII. After retirement, William returned to Ohio to work and give back to the community he loved. William was an extraordinary public speaker who has left his mark with the phrase “there are 7 billion people on the planet, and you can only control one- you.” Among his many accomplishments, William was a proud participant of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he received the Legend Award and the Athletes in Action where he was a Hall of Faith inductee.

Among the things he loved were children, salmon, golfing, gospel music, strawberry milkshakes, a good bag of popcorn, and a cafe mocha. William was known for his thunderous voice (you heard him before you saw him), the way he gave his time, money, and talent, and his positive outlook on all the curve balls of life. William faced ALS with resilience and never complained. He was grateful for his life each day, regardless of what limitation he faced. William lived and left his mark in the world and all of our hearts. His legacy is left to be carried on by his three greatest treasures: William Jr., Brendon, and Brea.

William is preceded in death by his father, James White, Jr. and his sister Martha White. William will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 26 years, Nikol; Children: William Jr., Brendon, and Brea; Grandchildren: Da’Zhani, Jaxon, Z’aieria, and Peyton; Great Grandchild: Zii’Mir; mother: Carline White; two sisters: Darlene Cook and Patricia White; three brothers: Robert (Clarissa) White, Cleaster White and Rev. Lorenzo (Erica) White all of Lima; As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

“Psalm 23 says, ‘Yay though I WALK through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.’ It doesn’t say, ‘Yay though I stand.’ Because guess what, if you stand in the shadow of death you are going to stay there forever.” 

William E. White, Sr.

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