Joseph Edward White

It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph Edward White announces his passing on November 8, 2022, at the age of 81 in Cary, NC. Born in Nashville, TN, on September 24, 1941, he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bruce White; children, Brandon White of Morrisville, NC; Christopher and Colleen White of Jacksonville, NC; Elizabeth and Kirk Bostwick of Cary, NC; stepson Thomas Lilly, of Bradenton, FL; and his beloved grandchildren Colin, Eva, Megan and Cora, who affectionately called him “Papa,” one of his proudest-held titles. Joe is also survived by his sister Dorothy Mitchell and her sons, Sean and Darren Mitchell, all of Las Vegas, NV; niece Tracey Hess of Cherry Hill, NJ; sister-in-law, Joyce Marsh of Fairfax Station, VA, and her sons, Micah Marsh of Denver, CO and Jimmy Marsh of Warrenton, VA. He also leaves behind countless friends and ALCOA family members who will miss Joe’s wit, curiosity for life, and compassion for others. Joe is preceded in death by his first wife, Joy Marsh White; his parents Myron T White and Florence Harper White; and his brothers-in-law, Jimmy Marsh and John Marsh. Joe loved his faithful companions, Menina and Vandy, who accompanied him on many trips and will miss his presence deeply. Joe retired from ALCOA, Inc. in Alcoa, TN where he was the Quality Assurance and Technical Manager for many years. He was a member of the Twenty-Five-Year Club and served with ALCOA in Tennessee, Indiana, Australia, and part of a joint venture with Kobe Steel in Japan. Joe was a graduate of Vanderbilt University, earning a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and master’s in Material Science. He was a member of the football and track teams, and an unwavering fan of the Commodores, holding season football tickets for nearly 50 years. He was also an original Tennessee Titans PSL holder. As an Eagle Scout, Joe supported many Boy Scout Troops and Cub Packs as Scoutmaster, Cubmaster and Committee Chairman. He was a Life Member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts Great Smoky Mountain Council and proudly witnessed both of his sons achieve the Eagle Scout Rank. Joe’s commitment to stewardship called him to various leadership roles within the Alcoa Rotary Club, American Society of Metals, and the Alcoa Salaried Retirees Club of Eastern Tennessee and the Western Carolinas. A lifelong learner and hobby genealogist, Joe was an active member of the American Clan Gregor Society. Meeting people and exploring new places and cultures fueled Joe’s passion for travel. In addition to visiting every major league baseball stadium in the U.S. with his son, Brandon, Joe was one of the few to visit all seven continents, more than fifty countries, and all 3,143 counties in the United States. Although he was especially fond of the people and wildlife of Africa and Australia, Joe made lasting friendships wherever his travels took him. “He never met a stranger,” is an apt mantra for a larger-than-life man who made everyone feel special. Love for family, friends and fellowship was evident in every event or reunion Joe organized. Although our hearts may never heal from this loss, we can honor his legacy—together. Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Green Meadow Country Club, 1700 Louisville Road, Alcoa, TN, on Saturday November 26, 11 am—1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Joe’s favorite charities: the Blount County Library, Boy Scouts of America or the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Joseph Edward White

September 24, 1941 - November 8, 2022