William Burton White age 87 of Shawnee, KS passed away on August 6, 2017 at Brookdale Place - Rosehill in Shawnee, KS.

Mr. White was born in Hillsdale, KS on September 28, 1929, the son of Carl Burton and Elsie Craven White.  He graduated from Paola High School in 1946.  He served in Korea during WWII in the 63rd Inf. Regt, 6th Division.  After being discharged from the service he traveled the country working in the logging industry of California and Oregon, the oil fields of Texas, a fishing boat off the Pacific coast, owning taxicabs and contracting various construction jobs in Lawrence, KS for several years.  In 1951, he married the most loved part of his life as God blessed him with 62 years of marriage to Cleda Fern McClanahan White.  They were also blessed with five wonderful sons.  They are Bill & Susie, David & Jeanne, Jim & Lila, Gary & Mary, Larry & Michelle.  This turned into a great family of grandchildren: Melissa, Michael, Zane, Matthew, Rebecca, Hannah, Marcus, Jimmy, Brian, Chris and David.; 4 great grandchildren Mallory, Kyle, Grace, and Jackson.

His family (mainly) and the Church, friends and business were his whole life.  He founded Wm. White & Sons Construction Co. with his five sons in 1983.  He served on various boards including Maur Hill Prep School, the Heavy Constructors Association, Local 518 OP & CMIA.  He was a past member of both the Kansas and Missouri Contractors Associations, the Kansas City Heavy Contractors Association, Concrete Producers Association, Kansas City Chapter of UNICO, and other social organizations.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Cleda, brothers Homer Thomas, Michael Lee, sisters Patricia Gowing and Betty Dodd, brothers-in-law Jimmy Dodd and Patrick Maher, and sisters-in-law Julie and Laura.  Besides all of the immediate family he loved so much, he left behind two brothers and two sisters and their families - Mr. Tom Gowing, Mrs. Mary Ann Maher, Mr. Larry (Marilee) White, Mr. Robert (Wanda) White, Mrs. Kathy White, as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins - all who were cherished relatives.

Visitation and Services

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS on August 11 at 10:00.  Friends may call at the Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, KS on August 10 from 6:00 - 8:00.  A Rosary will be prayed immediately preceding the visitation from 5:30 - 6:00.  Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in LaCygne, KS.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be sent to the Sister Servants of Mary in Kansas City, KS or St. Joseph Church in Shawnee, KS.