White
A celebration of the life of William White is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10 at Lima Senior’s gym, his son William White Jr. said on Friday.
William White, a legendary athlete at Lima Senior, died on July 28 at age 56, six years after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, an incurable disease which gradually takes away a person’s ability to control their muscles.
William White was a four-year starter at defensive back at Ohio State from 1984-1987. After being selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, he played 11 seasons with the Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. His final game in the NFL was in the Super Bowl with the Falcons.
“It’s for my dad’s legacy. I want to make sure I do everything I can so he’s not forgotten and that his legacy lives on forever,” William White Jr. said.
A funeral/celebration of life was held on Aug. 6 in Powell, where William White lived in recent years. William White Jr. said he wanted to do something in Lima, too.
“It’s for the people who couldn’t make it. I know a lot of people in Lima are asking about it. I definitely wanted to do something so the people in the surrounding areas could show their respects.”
Asked what his father’s legacy is, he said, “Just being a good man. Like I said at the funeral the reason he was my hero was the way other people looked at him and looked up to him and talked about what a good person he was. That’s something I would like to take from him. That’s what his legacy really is about — helping others, making people smile, doing the right thing and keeping God first.”
White said the public is invited to the ceremony and he is working on a lineup of speakers. Anyone wishing to contact him can email him at [email protected].
