Joe Bell White
May 13, 1939 - January 9, 2011
Obituary
In Loving Memory of Joseph Bell ‘JB’ White
On May 13, 1939 Mr. Joseph Bell White was born. Joe Bell ‘JB’ as he was affectionately known, was the fourth child born to the union of late Ja’Rutha Day and Peter White, Sr. in Palestine TX. To this union, four children were born. Peter, Jr., Mary, Shirley and Jo Bell. Joe accepted Christ in his life at an early age and has served at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle WA for over 35 years. During his membership he has served on the Board of Trustees. In 1991 he was named Man of the Year by the Richard Allen Men’s Brotherhood. He was selected on the basis of his service to the church, and brotherhood, as a member and officer. He was also Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Seattle Central Area Boys Club.
He attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in Palestine. Joe left Texas and joined the US Air Force in 1959. During his military stint he polished his skills as a Masters of Ceremonies where he entertained troops worldwide. After departing the military he found his way to Seattle WA in 1962 where he has been a lifelong resident. Joe loved live entertainment, as a popular Masters of Ceremonies in the Seattle Area, he was always in demand. In the 1960’s Joe did his civic work in Seattle as the East Branch Citizens Participation Coordinator for the Inner City Program, Model Cities. He was a longtime member serving on the Executive Board and Chairman of the Board of the Royal Esquire Club where he also served on the Scholarship and Ways and Means Committees.
He was also employed by Honeywell a job that would prepare him for his next step with the Boeing Co. As a sub -contract administrator with the Boeing Defense Group, he received numerous awards for his achievements. He played an integral part in some of the negotiations that supported some of Boeing’s most significant projects like the Inertial Upper Stage of the Space Shuttle. He retired from Boeing in 2005 with over 30 years of service.
Despite his heavy workload Joe freelanced as an entertainment writer and sports reporter for the The Medium Newspaper Group in Seattle WA. He was also the host of Jazz and Blues Flavors on the Z-Twins radio station.
Joe was married to Winifred Wilhelmina White for more than 20 years, a union he was most proud of.
Joe departed this life on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Highline Medical Center, of Burien.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Peter White, Sr, his mother, Mrs. Ruth Day White Tutt, brothers, Ssgt. Willie White, Peter White, Jr., sisters, Mrs. Irene Henry, Mrs. Shirley R. Lee, Mrs. Mary V. Morris and his daughter, Deanne Nelson White.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his son, Maximilian Nelson White, granddaughter, Anjelica Armstead, of Fort Worth, TX. Brothers, Charles A. Tutt, Alvin L. Tutt, Austin, TX, Tommie R. Tutt, Dallas, TX., Lionel Tutt, Gary W. Tutt, Houston, TX. and sister Mrs. Wilma Booker, Spring, TX. Nieces, Kentara Booker, Carisa Booker, Tanisha Butler, Vania Tutt, Houston, TX. Nephews, Karl W. White, Federal Way, WA, SFC. Ronald Morris, US Army, Dallas, TX. Kenith Booker, Mark Booker, and Zachary Booker, Spring, TX, Cedric Butler, Palestine, TX. Aunts, Carnie L. Jordan, Palestine, TX and Charlene Lovey, Houston, TX and a host of family and friends.
Viewing will begin at 2:00 pm on Thursday, 01/13 followed by a Wake at 7:00 pm at BONNEY-WATSON Capitol Hill, 1732 Broadway, Seattle, WA. 206 322-0013. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, 01/14 at 10:00 am at First AME Church, 1522 – 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA, Committal and Military Honors will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Condolences to the Karl, family, & friends. I didn’t get a chance to meet Joe here on earth but hope to meet him in heaven. Heard an awful lot about him though; and what a sharp, smart, young-at-heart, and proud man he was. Hope me & my boys can grow up to be like him.
My sympathy and prayers are with the family. May God comfort you all in this time of bereavement.
Everybody loved uncle Jb he will be greatly missed
We extend our heart felt sorrow to the family, and we will always smile when we think of Joe, his smile and upbeat attitude made us all feel good. And many thinks for sharing our birthday celebrations several times.Eddie,Freddie, and Joe
Karl,
My condolences to you and your family; remember, God’s timing is perfect! May Joe’s memory live on in all your lives.
My deepest condolences to the family. Joe was wonderful person who was kind and a great friend. Because of his love for the Royal Esquire, he inspired me to produce a video documenting the importance of the brotherly love the members share with not only each other but the community they serve.
Joe will be missed.
May God bless all of you in this hour of need.
Uncle Joe I am going to truly miss you,I will always remember your vibrant smile, your smooth walk,and how you always left me money ever thanksgiving and Christmas. The Lord has called you to be with him and Ruthie bell I will greatly miss you.
Your Nephew
Zach Booker
Steal Away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus,
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain’t got long to stay here.
My Lord, He calls me,
He calls me by the thunder,
The trumpet sounds within-my soul
I ain’t got long to stay here.
Green trees are bending,
Po’ sinner stand a-trembling,
The trumpet sounds within-my soul
I ain’t got long to stay here.
May Joe Bell White rest in peace!
Joe, My family and I will miss you. We will always remember your smile and the love you had for us, especially the love you had for mother. We are proud to have known you because you were such a great inspiration.
Gary, Mary & Family
Karl & Ronald please know that God knows best.
love you, the Pearsons.
i will keep the family in my prayer.may God bless each one of you.
With our deepest smypathy and love to the White family.
We loved Joe very much but God loved him more. God removed his sole from his shell and has given him ever lasting life. As uou celebrate his life and view his shell, Joe has made it. Love Jim & Carol McDowel.
Uncle Joe i will always cherish our memory.I love you and will miss you.love Ced.
Joe,
You will be truly missed, I will always cherish the 25 years of friendship we shared through the Royal Esquire Club.You’re in a better place now.
To the family:Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,love leaves a memory no one can steal.
May God be with you always.
Hey Uncle J.B
You have been such a great man, I have always told you I was proud of you and I loved you when I had no one to talk to you continued to call me and check on me. Thank you for being there as a Uncle and showing me how to be a achiever. You will be truly missed by many…. Please give my granny a kiss for me… MWUAH
Uncle JB, you will truly be missed. I will never forget the talks we had and all the wisdom you shared. You are one of a kind May God bless and keep your soul.
I will keep you all in my prayers GOD BLESS love from Herman Mitchell and family
I will miss Joe, we shared alot of great memory of the old days over a cocktail, he was a good friend to me and treated everyone the same
Rest in peace & thanks for the memories.
We the members of the Royal Esquire’s Club want to express our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family for the lost of one of our pretegious members and friends; and he will always be remembered by us for his contributions to the Club, and our community.
Love you Uncle. Lost a Uncle and Cousin. Miss yall both Much!!!!!!!!!!!!!