Otis William White, 63

LINCOLN - Otis William White, of Lincoln, departed this earthly life to be with the Lord on Oct. 6, 2008, surrounded by his family. He was born in Nassau on July 14, 1945, to the late Otis and Ruth Ella (Conway) White. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963, and was Honorably Discharged in 1967. While in the military, he was a light weapons infantryman, B Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th Calvary at Fort Benning, Ga. He also received an Emergency Medical Training Certificate. He was united in marriage to Charlotte Anne White on Sept. 20, 1968. They were married for 40 years and rededicated themselves to each other in October 2002. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Otis, Katrina and Hadgui, who loved and cared for him dearly. Billy had a work ethic that was very commendable. In 1956, he began his work experience at the age of ten, and was employed for thirty years by Joseph R. Hudson of Lewes, where he worked on the farm with Allen Chorman - planting, seeding, cultivating, etc. It was during this time that Billy got his experience in aerial crop dusting working alongside of Allen Chorman. Billy remained with the business after Allen purchased it from Joseph Hudson in 1987 until he retired in 2006 - after almost forty years of service. In the 1970's, he learned to fly and was one of the first African-American student pilots in the State of Delaware to fly solo. A very quiet-spoken man, Billy's personality and work ethic spoke volumes. Although a man of few words, whenever he spoke his words carried much weight and wisdom. After careful thought and consideration, there were few things he couldn't do with his hands or that his mind couldn't work out. His favorite scripture was Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing…" He was one to not worry or allow any circumstance, including his illness, to destroy his hopes, his dreams nor aspirations to stop him. Billy was a member of Siloam A.M.E. Church where he was a Trustee as well as "First Man of the Church." Prior to becoming a member of Siloam, he was a very integral and committed member of New Zion A.M.E. Church from its inception, where his wife, Rev. Charlotte A. White, was the founder and pastor. He leaves to cherish fond and loving memories in the hearts of his wife, Rev. Charlotte A. White; one son, Otis White of Millsboro; two daughters, Katrina White and Hadgui White (George) of Lincoln; two brothers, Robert L. (Eloise) of Pennsylvania and Samuel L. (Vilma) of Lewes; two sisters, Bernice Lewis (James) of Lewes, and Ruth Ann of Lincoln; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, William White (Martha) of Lewes; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Gibbs of Lewes, Ann Conaway of Maryland, and Thelma Cottman of Georgetown; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. Homegoing services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 18211 Beach Highway, Ellendale where friends may call two hours prior to the service. Interment will be on Tuesday in the Delaware Veteran's Cemetery, Georgetown. Arrangements are being handled by Young and McPherson Funeral Home, Milford.