William White, OFM

1913 – 1989

Br. William White, OFM, was born on Jan. 5, 1913 in Roxbury, Mass. Prior to joining the Order, he attended business school and worked as a clerk. He became a tertiary brother at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City in 1937, and was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1938. Br. William professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1942.

From 1939 to 1950, he served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City, where he worked as porter and sacristan. In 1951, Fr. Mathias Faust, OFM, who was serving in the General Curia in Rome, called him to be his socius. After one year, Br. William returned to St. Francis Parish and worked at the front desk and the switchboard.

In 1957, he was assigned to St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, where he worked for seven years. From 1967 to 1982, Br. William served at Holy Name College in Washington as refectorian and, later, at the switchboard. He retired in 1983, first to St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla., and then to the infirmary in Warwick, N.Y., in 1986, and Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, N.J., in 1989.

He died on March 28, 1989 at Holy Name Friary. Br. William was 76 years old, a professed friar for 49 years.