My name is Margo. I am the mother of Bill and Evie’s oldest granddaughter, Alexa.  I met Bill and Evie in July of 1993. I was 17 years old. Over those years and many more was I invited into their lives without hesitation. I spent many nights at their home staying for dinner. I heard many of stories and saw a lot of love. Love that was extended beyond their granddaughter to my son as well. Bill was a very loving grandpa to Alexa. Bill and Evie would pick up Alexa for me to work nights at UPS. They would also sometimes bring her back to me even though it was 9:30 at night. They helped me to survive. They encouraged me to do better.

Alexa never needed for anything. Grandpa spent a lot of time reading to Alexa from a baby til he was buying her own books to read herself. That was a guaranteed present every birthday, Christmas and sometimes just because. When grandma was out of the country, Bill would pick up Alexa and take her out to see a movie and dinner. I still can’t believe he took her to see Shrek! I’m thankful Bill was so present for Alexa. They had a loving and irony relationship. I could never understand where she got her attitude until I saw her and grandpa argue over fixing Grandma cell phone. Alexa and I were at their house in Elkhart for Alexa’s birthday. Grandma and grandpa had her dinner and cake every year. Anyway Alexa knew what to do to fix Grandma’s phone and Bill didn’t want to find the password to sign back in. They were like twins. It was funny. Grandma, her friend and I all laughed.

I appreciated seeing Bill and Evie having a loving and beautiful relationship. I was in awe of their story of how they met. They helped make me want to be a better person and know my value. I’m so thankful I got to know Bill. Bill and Evie's love and guidance left an indelible mark on my heart.

Grandpa, I have so many memories of us together that I can't choose just one.  You were like a father to me!  Always helping me learn new things, taking me to new places and showing me that there are endless possibilities for me.  I believe you were my biggest supporter and 'll forever be grateful to have such an amazing Grandfather, you read to me from a very young age, and I fully believe that is why I love reading now.  I still remember us setting up my bookshelf in my room together and then seeing it slowly be filled with books, of course keeping the top row for the books we read together!  

I miss and love you so much grandpa, thank you for everything I miss you we will meet again one day but for now Kylar is with you until I get there.

I love you so much Rest Easy Grandpa!

So Sorry to hear of Willys passing. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer with him in Ghana. I lived in Cape Coast and taught at Mfantsipim School at the same time he was in Cape Coast and knew Evie before they were married. She infatuated many of us young men and Willy got the prize. We communicated over the years and I looked forward to Christmas cards and letters about life in Ghana. I was lucky to visit their home in Ghana during a Ghana6 Reunion ..and always enjoyed their company at Ghana6 Reunions in the US..I consider them very special friends and care deeply about them both.

By William Ampofo Ofei.

My deepest condolence on the loss of Uncle Bill.

"We'll always cherish the memory of Uncle Bill's qualities, kind gestures, kind heart, and humility."

"Through him, many of us climbed the education ladder. He was a true inspiration."

"My last chat on Facebook was when I texted my uncle, 'Uncle, thank you for making my aunt happy all the time.' He quickly replied, 'Your aunty also makes me happy.'"

"Oh, Uncle, now that you have gone beyond the curtain of time, who will make my aunty happy? You were a remarkable man. Rest in perfect peace, Uncle Bill."

By Laurence Ofei

Farewell to a Gentleman

In a condensed remark, Dr William Irving White, my dearest brother-in-law, was an epitome of goodness.

My positive assertion finds it’s root in a 1969 incident at Cornell University Chapel where I was honored to hand my sister over to a tall handsome man for marriage.

A vibrant display of enthusiasm by an entourage of friends and family became a talking point when they all got up to accompany me during the nuptial procession to the pulpit – each shouting “ayeforoo” gesturing ardent desire to help me hold the bride’s hand in the process.

It was remarkably unorthodox but exciting to be part of the novelty.

In a discernible throat-clearing voice the officiating pastor whispered : you are truly married to a large family. At which point Bill flashed a glowing smile, looked up and answered : yes they are my family, I’ll always love them.

From that moment, I tapped into the sincerity of his words against actions. The deeper I went, the higher he earned my respect and admiration.

Bill, as affectionately called, seamed together our tattered family fabrics, irrespective of condition or convenience.

He encouraged the young to continue their education and offered assistance to anyone who came across his path. Just dial his Elkhart number to whisper for assistance : he was always responsive.

Bill, when I moved to Ghana you made me a custodian of your property and realty in Accra. You became my all-in-one brother, confidant, and at times, temporary assignee of your powers of attorney.

I had the honor to deal with a trustworthy and reliable individual in every aspect of our relation.

Your end-of-year visits to Ghana for Christmas became so phenomenal and hopeful to all of us that It is with tears to imagine there would be an abrupt end – a season without it! Oh Bill, where are you ? The White walls are waiting to welcome you home.

It was always a joy to watch you open the car door for your wife and strangers even for children, with a display of your characteristic humility and gentleness. A character to emulate !

The entourage will miss you.

My condolences to your “dearie” Evie, Tina, Eddie and the entire family. The Good Lord will remain your shepherd.

Farewell, my good brother-in-law, and thank you for keeping your word and faith.

By Laurence Ofei

Farewell to a Gentleman

In a condensed remark, Dr William Irving White, my dearest brother-in-law, was an epitome of goodness.

My positive assertion finds it’s root in a 1969 incident at Cornell University Chapel where I was honored to hand my sister over to a tall handsome man for marriage.

A vibrant display of enthusiasm by an entourage of friends and family became a talking point when they all got up to accompany me during the nuptial procession to the pulpit – each shouting “ayeforoo” gesturing ardent desire to help me hold the bride’s hand in the process.

It was remarkably unorthodox but exciting to be part of the novelty.

In a discernible throat-clearing voice the officiating pastor whispered : you are truly married to a large family. At which point Bill flashed a glowing smile, looked up and answered : yes they are my family, I’ll always love them.

From that moment, I tapped into the sincerity of his words against actions. The deeper I went, the higher he earned my respect and admiration.

Bill, as affectionately called, seamed together our tattered family fabrics, irrespective of condition or convenience.

He encouraged the young to continue their education and offered assistance anyone who came across his path. Just dial his Elkhart number to whisper for assistance : he was always responsive.

When I moved to Ghana you made me a custodian of your property and realty in Accra. You became my all-in-one brother, confidant, and at times, temporary assignee of your powers of attorney.

I had the honor to deal with a trustworthy and reliable individual in every aspect of our relation.

Your end-of-year visits to Ghana for Christmas became so phenomenal and hopeful to all of us that It is with tears to imagine there would be an abrupt end – a season without it! Oh Bill, where are you ? The White walls are waiting to welcome you home.

It was always a joy to watch you open the car door for your wife and strangers even for children, with a display of your characteristic humility and gentleness. A character to emulate !

The entourage will miss you.

My condolences to your “dearie” Evie, Tina, Eddie and the entire family. The Good Lord will remain your shepherd.

Farewell, my good brother-in-law, and thank you for keeping your word and faith.

I reconnected with Dr. White, or Bill as he preferred to be called, over 20 years after our time at Aggrey School. Our reunion was made possible by his cousin, Mike Ryan, who worked with me at American Medical Systems and later Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. During a conversation at work, Mike discovered my Ghanaian roots and shared that his cousin Bill had served in the Peace Corps in Africa and married a local woman. That's when I made the connection - Bill was my former instructor! Through Mike, I reestablished contact with Bill, and we've since become incredibly close. When my mother passed away 13 years ago, Bill traveled to Ghana to offer his condolences. My wife and I even had the pleasure of hosting Bill and his wife Evelyn at our home in Maple Grove during one of their vacations. I'll always cherish the impact Bill had on my educational journey, particularly in helping me earn my degree in Chemistry.

My heart goes out to Bill's family and friends.

"Grief is the price we pay for love"

Uncle Bill!

Growing up everyone needs an Uncle Bill.

We loved him dearly, we always sat back and watched him solve problems and challenges, bring humour to everything, try exotic food with gusto, take photographs at every occasion, dance like no one was watching but above all, Uncle Bill always had a quick answer, and a slow one, he always remained calm and delivered the killer punch like Jason Bourne.

There are several stand out memories for us as a family, one summer Uncle Bill and Aunt Evie were visiting us in England, it was raining and for some reason Uncle Bill had to step out, the “older” female members of the party, we were kids right so we just watched, popcorn in hand, advised him not to go outside in the rain, as by so doing he would catch a cold, Uncle Bill looked at these women like they were crazy and explained to them that one gets a cold from a virus, not by walking in the rain. We were literally killing ourselves laughing as the women, reeled their necks in, strike one! At Emmeline’s wedding, we were sitting with our late father, watching everyone have a good time, Daddy looked up and said, “Wow, Bill can dance, he’s got moves”, we sat watching Uncle Bill on the dance floor dancing track after track, sweating buckets and just going on, he was an awesome dancer, and trust me, we are a family of dancers, we know when we are in the presence of greatness, strike two. Strike three, we were all at home in Ghana, Aunty Evie and her cousins, my mum included were chatting away as usual in Twi, someone must have made a comment, Uncle Bill looked at the gaggle of women and responded in Twi, looked away and carried on like nothing had happened, we literally fell off our seats, killing ourselves laughing, as usual he drops a bomb, and carries on like nothing happened. We just loved having him around because we would learn stuff and laugh out loud, constantly.

As we got older, we looked forward to Uncle Bill’s annual Christmas updates, loved the photos and enjoyed the snippets of news keeping us updated.

Uncle Bill’s transition has left a gaping hole in our hearts, but his memory will live on in our minds, may the gentle soul of our great, kind, bold, funny, smart uncle, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Uncle Bill d’yie.

Charlotte, Emmeline and Sam, Nana and Angel, Henry, Harry and Christian xxx

He is William to many of you. Skip to me, my sister Kaffie and my brother David. He was Bill in high school, Will in college and so on. 

His letters for us too were always a treat - Detailed and yet always personal and very descriptive. Even before computers which flag (or eliminate) typo-graphical errors, his letters were long, detailed, and always interesting. 

They started when, after college, he left to teach and start introducing us to the wonderful woman, Evie. We, have gotten to hear about many of you and to meet others.

Thank you all for your windows into parts of my brother’s life that I did not get a chance to know.  We are grateful for the kindness and love you have all shown throughout his life and on this Page.

Tim