H.H. "Bud" White, born July 20, 1936, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Troy and Grace White and left this world as we know it in Poplar Bluff on Aug. 13, 2018. Troy White was the Pastor of Alliance Church in Bernie, Missouri until he was fatally injured in a hunting accident in 1964. After graduating from High School, Bud worked as a Postal Clerk in Birmingham, Michigan, for four years before marrying his high school sweetheart and companion for life, Sharon, who was born in Dudley, Missouri to Ora and Alma Crane. Bud and Sharon moved to Fisk, Missouri in 1961, where he went to work for a Texaco consignee, while Sharon opened a beauty shop. After working for Texaco, Bud went to work for the Standard Oil Company in 1966 as a commissioned agent serving the farm community with gasoline and diesel products. Bud expanded his operation and began selling propane in 1969, building one of the largest Standard Oil agencies in Southeast Missouri. His business practices and integrity resulted in Bud serving Standard Oil on many regional and national advisory councils. In 1976 Bud and Sharon started HH White Oil Company. They retired in 1999.
Bud and Sharon shared a passion for the Shriners and their hospitals, so with the support and encouragement of their family, they dedicated 10 years serving in the Officer Line of Moolah Shrine in St. Louis. Their efforts, commitment and sincerity, produced the love and admiration of Shriners throughout the United States. Bud also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2002 Bud was elected as the Illustrious Potentate of Moolah Shrine, presiding over 12,000 Shriners in the Eastern half of Missouri. Bud served as a Past President of Three Rivers Shrine Club and was very instrumental in their annual Circus at the PB Jr. High School Football field. Bud was an Ambassador for the Shrine, an Imperial Aide in 1994 for Imperial Sir Buron Ravellette, Jr., a member of Poplar Bluff Masonic Lodge 209, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Monarch of AAD Grotto, member of the Royal Order of the Jesters, Order of Quetzalcoatl, an honorary member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, was a member of the Hillbilly Shriners Sho-Me Clan 140. Bud was also a Charter member of Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge. Bud and Sharon White are greatly loved and respected by many people whose lives they have influenced.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Grace White, one brother Hugh (Sonny) White, son-in-law Jimmy Dale Trout, son-in-law Herschel Vernon, and granddaughters Michelle Vernon and Leigh Ann Trout.
Bud is survived by his loving wife, friend and companion of 62 years Sharon; daughter Beverly Vernon, granddaughter Blair Palmer (Raymond) and their daughter Addison; grandsons, Herschel Vernon and children Alexandrea and Jon and Levi Vernon; daughter Marilyn Trout, granddaughter Jessica Snider (Greg) and their children Kane, Owen, and Kendall, granddaughter Amanda Bader (Ryan) and their children Reagan, Brooklyn, Trenton and Callen; daughter Karen Johnson (Steve), granddaughter Ashton Sung (Jared) and grandson Weston Johnson; and son Rick White (Barbara), grandsons Trevor and Hunter White, granddaughter Lindsay Huggins (Casen) and their children Paige, Bentley, Garrett and Grayson.
It was Bud's request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the St. Louis Unit of Shriners Hospitals or to the ALS Foundation.
A Masonic Service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church with the visitation following until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial will be in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.
Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff, Mo. is honored to serve the family of H.H. "Bud' White; please visit www.cotrellfuneralservice.com to leave a condolence message.
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