Joe Wayne White passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 30, 2016 with his family by his side. He was 96 years old.

Joe was born January 28, 1920 in Charity, MO, to Felix and Eliza White. He grew up in a small two-room log cabin where he shared a room and a bed with his 6 brothers. His family moved to Springfield when he was seven years old. He graduated from Springfield Senior High in 1939 before joining the work force. In 1940, he began working at Mann & Mueller Heating and Sheet Metal Works, a small five man company which later became the Paul Mueller Company, one of the largest employers in Springfield. Joe traveled worldwide while working for the company until retiring in 1972.

Joe and his wife Billie met in 1949 on a blind date in Doling Park. They married in 1950 and spent the next 66 wonderful years together. Together, they had one daughter, Debbie.

Joe will be remembered for his tenacious spirit, quick wit, his unending knowledge, his love of cats, and his sweet tooth. He was a fair man who had a passion for working with his hands and was most often found in starched jeans and a flannel shirt in his shop building, fixing, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on. His favorite place to spend time was his cabin on the Niangua River where he could be found paddling to the best fishing spots. A beloved father and grandfather, he devoted much of his later life to spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them all of his skills.

He was a charter member of Twin Oaks Country Club and Papa Bear Boosters, a member of the Elks Club, Royal Order of Jesters, Abou Ben Adhem Shriner, a Scottish Rite Mason, Hillbilly Investment Club, and La Soiree Dance Club.

Joe is survived by his wife Billie; daughter, Debbie Rollinson and husband Paul; grandson Ryan Walter and wife Alison; granddaughter Shannon Walter and partner David; and grandson Joseph Rollinson. Memorial services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Joe's name to the Boys and Girls Club, 1410 N. Fremont, Springfield, MO 65802-2007, or Mercy Hospice, 1570 W. Battlefield, Springfield, MO 65807, or the charity of choice. Private burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.