Mr. Leon Wendell White, 98, of Clermont passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 following a sudden illness.
Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Una Abercrombie White; stepmother, Sarah Abercrombie White; sisters Edith White Couch, Edna White Barrett, Homerell White Parks; brother, Bill White; son Wallace White; and his beloved wife of 72 years, Ruth Erwin White.
Survivors include his sister, Wanda White Parks of Murrayville; sister-in-law, Jolene Erwin of Clermont; daughter, Margie White Nash (Russell) of Clermont; and sons Wendell White of Clermont, and Wayne White (Michael Castellana) of Gainesville; grandchildren Brad (Kim) Nash, Brannan (Chris) Greene, Devin (Crista) White, Riley White, Seth White, and Morgan White, all of Gainesville; Roger (Jessyca) Nash of Flowery Branch; and Amy (Paul) Braker of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. White was born in his family home on Homer White Road in Clermont. A child of the Great Depression, Leon helped farm his family land, learned the art of blacksmithing alongside his father, and learned the importance of family and hard work. When World War II began, he moved to Brunswick to weld ship hulls and soon joined the U. S. Army. A member of the Greatest Generation, Leon proudly served his country during World War II and spent most of his service time in Italy. Following the war’s end, he met and married his beloved wife, Ruth. Together, they moved to Norcross and he spent his career at the Doraville General Motors Plant as a body shop supervisor. Upon retirement from General Motors, Leon and Ruth moved back to his family homeplace in Clermont. Leon was a beloved member of the Clermont and Wahoo communities. He faithfully served Wahoo Baptist Church and the Murrayville Masonic Lodge for decades. Over the years, he hosted countless guests at his annual summer fish fries and pancake breakfasts. An avid fisherman and cook, he was known for his humor, his stories and jokes, the twinkle in his eye, his kindness and generosity, and his willingness to help anyone in need. Known as Leon, Daddy, Grandpa, Papa Leon, and Chief…he is most importantly known as a man who loved to serve the Lord.
Visitation will be held 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, August 22 at Strickland Funeral Home, Clermont. Visitation will also be held 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm on Friday, August 23 at Wahoo Baptist Church in Murrayville followed by the funeral and graveside service beginning at 1:00 pm. Reverend Mark Stroud will officiate. W. R. Strickland & Sons, Clermont, Ga.
