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

“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 existence, by chance you happen to come upon a person, who, albeit be for only a brief encounter compared to your lifetime, so profoundly and positively impacts your life, that you can remember his words, his actions, his impressions, his guidance, his faith, his love and devotion, long, long after that 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 classroom and Mr. White made it that way by showing that he cared for all of us.

Now I feel like the writer at the end of the film” Stand By Me”, who recalls his childhood and says goodbye to a just departed old friend, who he hasn’t seen in years.

My classmate and longtime friend, Kathy Johnsen, and I, at Kathy’s suggestion and encouragement, saw Mr. White a few years ago,  after his retirement, and in his home in Pebble Beach. I got the distinct impression that afternoon that our informal get together was just another of his students coming by and reminiscing.  I regret that 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, you helped us for 9 months, to learn but to also be better person., guiding us all along.

Thank you.

Willy Fekeci
Foothill Elementary School 1969