Willa Lee White

Willa Lee White, 90, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019, at AdventHealth Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, December 9, 2019, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Willa was born May 14, 1929 in Ottawa, the daughter of Alva Thomas and Iva Marie (Turner) Bond. She was a lifelong resident of Franklin County. She graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1947 and attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing. Willa was united in marriage to Robert K. “Bob” White June 7, 1948 in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on May 14, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Oliver C. Curby; and half-sister, Ann Wedebrand. Survivors include her two sons, Wayne White and partner Tonya Overmyer of Ottawa and Steven ‘Howdy’ White of Carthage, Missouri; two grandsons, Luke White and Levi White; niece, Debbie Lines; great niece, Kimberly Evans and husband Zack; and great-great niece, Hallie Evans all of Ottawa; half-brother, Jack Bond and wife Sondra of Rexburg, Idaho; three half-nieces, one step niece, three half-nephews and one step nephew. Willa had an adopted family, Dan and Margie Hope of Nevada, Missouri (formerly of Ottawa) and their children, Danny, Heather, Kimberly, David, Jennifer, and Jessica. Heather’s son, Patrick; and Danny’s children, Daniel, Delaney, Jacob and Natalie Hope. Willa was employed and later co-owned Bob White Motors for 25 years. She started working in housekeeping and later became the office manager. She continued working at the dealership when it was Dan Hope Motors, retiring in 1990. Willa was also a file clerk with Ransom Memorial Hospital for 3 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church for over 60 years; Ottawa Union Chapter No. 15, Order of Eastern Star Past Matron; Ottawa Assembly 136, Social Order of the Beauceant; life member of Job’s Daughter; Ransom Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; Cub Scout Leader and swimming coach for the Ottawa Country Club team. Willa was a devoted and wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a talented seamstress making clothing for family and friends. She also made uniforms for Ottawa High School and the Ottawa University Majorettes. She enjoyed golf, crochet, making a lot of afghans, working crossword puzzles, watching sports and dancing with her husband Bob. The family suggests memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church or AdventHealth Ottawa Auxiliary c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.