William Richard White

William “Bill” White, 60, Farmer, Mechanic, and Father, Dies in August 2025

William Richard “Bill” White, age 60, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 22, 2025 at his home in Webster, North Dakota. Born in Washington, DC, and “transplanted” to Devils Lake at an early age, Bill was a lifelong skilled mechanic, business entrepreneur, farm owner, and proud father of two daughters. Known for his strong work ethic and deep knowledge of motorsports, he spent his life supporting his family, managing his farmland, and enjoying just about anything with wheels, wings, and horsepower.

Born in July1965, Bill spent his formative years in Devils Lake and Cando, learning to love North Dakota’s open fields and clear blue skies. He grew under the watchful eyes of his mother, Louise Wilson, his late stepfather, Dick White, and the many members of the Sexhus and Noyes families in Towner and Ramsey counties. Under their tutelage, Bill developed a deep love for life’s adrenaline and adventure. In his younger years, he could often be found downhill skiing in Colorado and Utah, sailing on the Potomac River, or tearing through the mud in lifted trucks in North Dakota. His passion for cars—especially exotic ones—was lifelong. He had an eye for the sleek lines of a Ferrari and the powerful growl of a Maserati, and he loved talking shop with anyone who’d listen.

Though separated from his wife in later years, Bill remained devoted to his daughters, Sarah White of Springfield, Virginia, and Ember White of Charlottesville, Virginia, who were the pride of his life. He taught them not only how to change oil and handle a wrench but also how to work hard, laugh often, and never back down from a challenge.

Bill will be remembered for being a good man, his compassing to love deeply, his love for adventure, grit, stubborn determination, friendly smile, and his ability to fix just about anything—especially with a cold beer in hand and 70s rock ‘n roll music playing in the background.

He is survived by his wife, Amy White, of Charlottesville; his daughter Sarah; his parents, Louise Wilson and Peter Jones of Potomac Falls, Virginia; and an extended family and friends who will miss his humor, his generosity, and his one-of-a-kind spirit.

A memorial service for Bill will be held on Monday, 8 September, 3PM, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, 509 Highway 2 West, Devils Lake. A reception will follow at the Woodland Resort, 1012 Woodland Drive, Devils Lake.

Bill’s family has established an educational scholarship in his name at Lake Region State College for future automotive technicians. Donations to the scholarship are encouraged in lieu of flowers, and can be made at https://tinyurl.com/y9n6966v (scroll down to “White, William Memorial Endowment”).The Lake Region College Website is www.lrsc.edu