October 10, 1943 - March 28, 2025
William Charles White was born October 10, 1943 and left us six years and 20 days after his sweetie, on March 28, 2025. He grew up in Oelrichs, S.D., on the ranch with his parents, Charles E. White and Marjorie White and two brothers, Jim and Tom. He married Judy A. Perry on January 29, 1972 and moved to Oelrichs, S.D. where they ranched and raised their four children. He spent his days on the ranch, riding, roping, haying and instilling a love of the land and cattle to his kids. Neighbors have said they knew he could do anything on the ranch from horses to machinery. There wasn’t a kid he wouldn’t help, and he was nice to those who were new to the country.
Bill was a very talented roper. He spent hours helping the kids hone their roping skills. The days would be spent working the ranch and the evenings would be spent in the arena, practicing all the kids’ events sometimes until dark. The kids were very involved in 4-H, he and Judy managed to get four kids, four horses, four steers and various projects to fair every year.
Bill had a love for playing cards and many calls were received asking about a rule to a card game. If he didn’t know the answer, he had a book of Hoyle that had the answer. When the kids turned 21 instead of going to the bar for their first drink, he took them to the casino and taught them to play blackjack and later poker. Many Sunday afternoons would be spent at Prairie Wind Casino in the poker room.
Bill is survived by children, Wendy (Chad) Tecca of Solen, N.D., Ellen White, Brenda White, and Scott (Sherry) White of Oelrichs; one brother, Tom (Lori) White, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E and Marjorie White; brother, Jim (Cheri) White and wife, Judy A. White.
Visitation and services were held Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs. Burial followed at the Oelrichs Community Cemetery. A memorial for the Oelrichs Volunteer Fire Department Building Fund and the Oelrichs Rodeo Association will be set up in Bill’s name.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, S.D.