Raymond D. White

Raymond D. White passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Sarasota, Fla., at the age of 89.

He was born on Nov. 22, 1928, in Renfrew, to David and Mary White. He was the oldest of four children.

Raymond grew up in Meridian and graduated from Butler High School.

He had a passion for playing musical instruments and was a member of the Butler High School marching band.

He was an outstanding dancer who could really cut a rug.

While in high school, he developed a desire to become involved with flying and at 16 years of age, he began flying lessons and received his private pilot license and became a flight instructor at Butler County Airport.

After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colo., where he served three years.

After serving in the Army, he returned to Meridian and served as a flight instructor and was eventually hired as a commercial airline pilot by Capital Airlines, relocating to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1955. Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines and he was transferred to Chicago in 1966.

Raymond retired from United Airlines in 1988 after 33 years of service. He enjoyed his retirement years in Sarasota, Fla.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife, Twila White, and they had 68 years of a wonderful marriage.

He is also survived by his sons, Wayne White, James White and Gary White; his daughter, Linda Triggs; his sister, Margaret Tack; his eight grandchildren; and his 14 great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made in his memory to any Alzheimer or Parkinson research charity of choice.