William John White was born the son of James and Frances (Baker) White on December 18, 1916 in Keswick, Iowa. He attended country school in the White Oak area. In 1940 John was married to Thelma Fuller. Then in 1942, his wife Thelma and infant son died while giving birth. On October 21, 1944 at the Presbyterian Church in Sigourney, Iowa William John was united in marriage to Mildred Beasley. John and Mildred raced horses all across the U.S. before retiring from farming. The couple then built a new house and opened an antique store in What Cheer where John became active in several civic organizations such as: Mayor, City Council, Peter Britton, Ruritans Club, Lions Club, Opera House Board, Brick School Museum Board, Iowa Horse Racing Assoc. and Boy Scouts of America. John was also a life time member of the White Oak Presbyterian Church and in his later years, attended the Methodist Church in What Cheer. He enjoyed joking with friends and family and always looked forward to driving his father's 1956 Nash Ambassador in all the local parades. William John was always proud of being a "simple man" and will be remembered as a caring, loving and generous person.

He is survived by his wife of sixty five years, Mildred; two brothers, Edwin of Montezuma and Edward of McGregor; sister, Margaret Wiggins of Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews. William John is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Thelma; infant son, Robert; brother, Junior; four sisters: Vera, Wilma, Louise and Lorene.
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source:
Wm John White
Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934
Name: Wm John White
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 28 Jan 1939
Event Place: Mahaska, Iowa, United States
Sex: Male
Age: 22
Birth Year (Estimated): 1917
Father's Name: Jas E White
Mother's Name: Francis Baker
Spouse's Name: Thelma Fuller
Spouse's Sex: Female
Spouse's Age: 19
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1920
Spouse's Father's Name: Walter Fuller
Spouse's Mother's Name: Margaret Martin
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