Charles William White

Charles William White

November 25, 1942 - July 01, 2024

Charles William White also known to his friends and family as Charlie, Chuck or Bill, passed away 

peacefully at his home in Key Largo at the age of 82.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan to Harold White and Josephine Ophelia (Atkins) White. He 

attended Mott college where he studied Liberal Arts from 1960-1963 and met his wife Leora (Wodolan) 

White. From there he went on to the University of Michigan to Major in Visual Arts 1964-1966. He 

worked in clay, creating fantastical vessels with unique textures. He was also a photographer and 

worked in collage, mixing pop culture images with hand drawn elements. He and Leora had 3 children 

and Charles went to work in the automobile industry to support his family. Always a free spirit, he 

continued to create art throughout his life. He loved the water and dreamed of being a sailor. He 

worked for many years building a small sailboat by hand in the side yard.

He loved travel and hitchhiked across the US by himself in his 30’s.

Finally in his 50’s he moved to Key Largo where he worked with his friend Jim at Ferguson’s 2 

Jewelry shop, then found a new group of friends and coworkers at the Key Largo Library. In 

retirement he enjoyed going treasure hunting or “junking” with his friends. He was an audiophile 

and loved music of all sorts. A prolific reader, he especially loved science fiction.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Josephine White, his aunt Juline (Atkins) 

Cantley and Uncle Karl Loren Atkins, and former wife Leora Ruth (Wodolan) White.

Charles is survived by his children, Brian White, Serena White and Dione (Stephen Moskop) White. 

grandchildren, Tiana (Ryan Cleveland) White and William Loren”LJ” White; great- grandchildren 

Walter, Harrison, Benjamin and Tristan Cleveland; Cousin Donna (Cantley) Hart and other relatives. 

He is remembered with fondness by his good friends; Mary Bonde, Meridith Cline, Kathy Gong and Rich 

West. His humor and charm will be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

A private remembrance will be held on July 25th, 2024, when his daughters will return his ashes to 

the Ocean that he loved so much.