Warner White Obituary

Warner Clock White died peacefully at home surrounded by family Saturday, April 16. He was born in Hampton, Iowa, October 25, 1926 to Evelyn Laura (Clock) and Russell Peregrine White.
He found his home in the Episcopal Church in St. Louis in 1937. He was in the army during World War II where learned engineering at Texas A&M. After the war he attended the University of Chicago where he met Phyllis Cox. They married shortly after in 1949. He received his Master's degree in English from the University in 1950.
He attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and was ordained an Episcopal Priest in 1953. He taught college English and assisted at various parishes until being called as Rector of The Church of the Redeemer in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood in 1962. He remained as Rector of the Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer after their merger in 1968. He was active in the Civil Rights movement taking part in actions in the south as well as at home in Chicago in his role as President of the Chicago chapter of the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity (ESCRU). He received a Doctorate of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1976. In 1979 he was called to Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall, Michigan where he served until his retirement in 1991.
He and Phyllis moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where they remained active in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, he in the choir, and she as organist and Choir Director. In 1999 they moved to Burlington, VT where they joined Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne and remained similarly active.
Following the death of his beloved wife Phyllis in 2007 he married Roberta (Bert) Baker and they spent many loving years together traveling, playing bridge, and volunteering, including teaching English to Burlington residents.
He was an incredibly intelligent, caring, silly, and passionate man with many varied interests. He was a reader, a writer, a fisherman, loved traveling and camping, a wine and beer maker, bridge and chess player, and an avid movie watcher among other interests that came and went. He lived a rich and full 95 years for which we are very grateful.
He is predeceased by his first wife Phyllis, sister Ellen Day, son-in-law Bruce Berheide, and daughters-in-law Christine (Dollins) White and Jane (Ridenour) White. He is survived by his wife Roberta; children Sumner, Catherine, David (Sally Knight), Elizabeth (Brett Sawyer), and Andrew (Barb Bennett); step-children Rebecca (Frank) O'Brien, Richard (Kendra) Baker, and Regina (John) Park; grand and step-grandchildren John (Jade) White, Tom (Laura) White, Deandra White, Warren (Holly) WhiteKnight, Janna (Andy Rotman) White, Daniel Berheide, Sarah (Jon) Lamphier, Joshua White, Timothy and Daniel O'Brien, Alexandria and Julian Baker, Grace and Ethan Park, Jared Bennett, and Elijah (Sara) Gosselin; along with seventeen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held in the parish hall of Trinity Episcopal Church on Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT from 5-7pm Thursday, April 21. A hybrid (zoom and in-person) funeral service followed immediately by burial in the memorial garden will be at 11:30am Monday, April 25 at Trinity. To attend the funeral service over Zoom, please email Sumner White () to receive the link. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482-6509.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel 261 Shelburne Rd in Burlington. Please visit to place on-line condolences.
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