Stockton World War II veteran dies at 106 – KCRA Sacramento
A Stockton man who was one of the longest-living veterans of World War II died on Friday at 106. The Stockton Marine Corps Club announced Maj. William “Bill” White died peacefully with family by his side. White was born in Long Beach in 1915 and joined the military in 1934. His time in uniform took him across the country and world including time in China. He fought in the World War II battle of Iwo Jima. “He went ashore after the first flag was raised landing on the beach directly under Mt. Suribachi. As they were crossing to join the rest of the battalion, the second flag was raised (the one in the famous photo),” the Stockton Marine Corps Club said.Before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1964, he was promoted to major the year prior. His personal accolades include dozens of awards, including a Purple Heart. White then served on the Huntington Beach Police Department in the mid-1960s.The highly decorated veteran was known to entertaining others with his stories of combat or by singing.”He continued to be active as you would find him either competing with other residents at bingo and table games or joining in sing-a-longs,” the Stockton Marine Corps Club said. He lived his last years at The Oaks assisted living facility in Stockton. White went viral two years ago when friends at the senior living facility asked for Valentine’s Day cards for the veteran. He ended up receiving hundreds of thousands of cards from people across the country. | Read More | 1st graders send valentines to 104-year-old Stockton veteranFor both his 105th and 106th birthdays, the senior living community and the community of Stockton threw him special birthday celebrations amid the pandemic. | Video Above | Stockton community celebrates their ‘national treasure’ on his 106th birthday White’s daughters told KCRA 3 last year that Veterans Affairs informed their family at the time their father was one of the three longest-living World War II veterans.Memorial services for White have yet to be announced.
STOCKTON, Calif. —
A Stockton man who was one of the longest-living veterans of World War II died on Friday at 106.
The Stockton Marine Corps Club announced Maj. William “Bill” White died peacefully with family by his side.
White was born in Long Beach in 1915 and joined the military in 1934. His time in uniform took him across the country and world including time in China.
He fought in the World War II battle of Iwo Jima.
“He went ashore after the first flag was raised landing on the beach directly under Mt. Suribachi. As they were crossing to join the rest of the battalion, the second flag was raised (the one in the famous photo),” the Stockton Marine Corps Club said.
Before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1964, he was promoted to major the year prior. His personal accolades include dozens of awards, including a Purple Heart. White then served on the Huntington Beach Police Department in the mid-1960s.
The highly decorated veteran was known to entertaining others with his stories of combat or by singing.
“He continued to be active as you would find him either competing with other residents at bingo and table games or joining in sing-a-longs,” the Stockton Marine Corps Club said.
He lived his last years at The Oaks assisted living facility in Stockton.
White went viral two years ago when friends at the senior living facility asked for Valentine’s Day cards for the veteran. He ended up receiving hundreds of thousands of cards from people across the country.
| Read More | 1st graders send valentines to 104-year-old Stockton veteran
For both his 105th and 106th birthdays, the senior living community and the community of Stockton threw him special birthday celebrations amid the pandemic.
| Video Above | Stockton community celebrates their ‘national treasure’ on his 106th birthday
White’s daughters told KCRA 3 last year that Veterans Affairs informed their family at the time their father was one of the three longest-living World War II veterans.
Memorial services for White have yet to be announced.
