CLINTON – Wilson Carlisle White Jr. died Thursday, March 13, at Hospice House of Laurens County in Clinton, S.C., after a short illness.
Carlisle was born in Chester, S.C. on Sept. 14, 1923, the second child of Julia Phillips and Wilson Carlisle White. He was a graduate of the Chester schools and attended Clemson College from 1940 – 1943, joining the U.S. Army midway through his junior year. Forever marked by his service as a combat infantryman in the European Theatre of World War II, Carlisle was a Purple Heart veteran serving first in the 63rd Infantry Division and later in the 45th. He was named Parade Marshall of the Veterans Day observance in Union, S.C., in 2008.
Like many others of the Greatest Generation, Carlisle returned to college after the war, graduating from Clemson in January 1949, and set about establishing a life of integrity and service. He married Gertrude (“Trudy”) Henry in 1951, and they had three children: William Henry White (Phyllis) of Chester, Betty Cecile (“Betsy”) White Burton (Ross) of Winnsboro and Thomas Henry White IV (Ann) of Union, S.C.
Carlisle worked as a Soil Conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving in Chesterfield, Pickens, Oconee, Calhoun and Union counties in South Carolina, Washington D.C., Fairbanks, Alaska and Richmond, Va. before retiring to Union, S.C. in December of 1981. In September 2012 he and Trudy moved to Clinton where they made their home at Clinton Presbyterian Retirement Community.
Carlisle loved vegetable gardening and was also the proprietor of Union Sharpening Service. He traveled to 49 of the 50 states and nine foreign countries, but spent most vacation times working on his family’s cottage at Bonclarken, Flat Rock, N.C. where family members continue to enjoy happy times.
Carlisle was reared in the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where his grandfathers served as minister and Sunday School Superintendent, respectively, and he remained faithful to the Presbyterian denomination wherever he lived. He was elected an elder in both the ARP and Presbyterian USA churches; he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, served as a deacon and scoutmaster, worked on presbytery committees, and was a delegate to the General Assembly as well as being “chief cook and bottle washer” at many church functions as long as he was able.
Respected for his work ethic and utter dependability, Carlisle will also be remembered for his warm welcoming smile, his rapport with young children and his many unique stories.
Carlisle is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years and his loving children; nine grandchildren who mourn their adoring Pop: Henry Bolding White, Catherine Prentiss White McDaniels (Corey), Sarah Cecile Burns, Anna Lee Carlisle Burns, Kelsey Ann White, Caitlin Thomas White, Shelley Elizabeth Burns, Geoffrey Nelson Burns (Dina), Mary Ann Kay Todd (Jesse); great-grandchildren Samuel, Isabel and Emilia Burns; his beloved sister Mary Phillips White Gettys of Rock Hill; and treasured nieces, nephews and extended family. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother Thomas Henry White III and his sister Louisa Bobo White Muldrow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina, 2817 Ashland Road, Columbia, S.C. 29210; to First Presbyterian Church, 101 West South Street, or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 951, both of Union, S.C. 29379.
The memorial service in Union at First Presbyterian Church will be delayed, pending the recovery from surgery of a grandchild and the date will be published later. A memorial service at Clinton Presbyterian Retirement Community will be held Wednesday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m. in the chapel and is also open to friends.
The family is grateful to residents and staff of Clinton PRC, Laurens County Memorial Hospital, Hospice House of Laurens County and Dr. James Belcher and Nurse Michelle for their compassionate care of Carlisle who reciprocated their love and respect.
SR Holcombe Funeral Home (www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)
