Willa Irene White, 77, of North Platte, NE, passed away at Great Plains Health on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Willa was born May 23, 1940, to William Alfred and Irene Maxine (Wells) Tilford at North Platte where she grew up. Willa attended Platte Valley School then St. Patrick’s High School. After graduating she moved to California where she went to college in Moorpark and later worked as a cashier at Thrifty Drugstore in Canoga Park.
On June 15, 1957, Willa was united in marriage to Thaddeius Darrell “Pepper” White at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte. The couple had three children, Daniel, Darrell and Theresa, and helped care for many others.
Willa and Pepper lived in Simi Valley, CA, then moved to North Platte in ’78 where Willa worked for the Opportunity Center as a residential manager. By 1983 they relocated to Sterling, CO, and Willa went to work for Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled. They returned to North Platte in 1993 and continued caring for people in their own home for the next three years.
Willa was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Post #1504 Auxiliary. Before she got sick, Willa enjoyed baking, going out to eat, playing Keno, taking trips to Las Vegas, and going to church. Her greatest pastime was football and her best friends were her sisters. Willa looked forward to “Sister Day” when they all got together for coffee and went out to lunch. She had a strong faith in God and loved her family and dogs, Lilly and Frankie. Willa was a loving wife and mother who cared for her family and many others. She is loved and will be greatly missed.
She leaves behind her children, Theresa (Todd) Freeburg, of North Platte, Daniel (Tracy) White, of Wildomar, CA, and Darrell White, of Logan, IA; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Danny) Garcia, Rachel (Tony) Delansky, Jamie (Rey) Perez, Emily Werts (Maui Brogdon), Logan White, Riley White, Patrick White and Thomas White; 12 great-grandchildren, Kylee, Layla, Thaddeius, Madalynn, Jordan, Austin, Kailynn, Elizah, Cayden, Hannah, Erin and Ethan; brothers, Jim Tilford, of North Platte and Bill (Stephanie) Tilford, of Sutherland; sisters, Jean (Rodney) Fisher, of North Platte and Carol (Jim) Frame, of Hershey; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.
Willa was preceded in death by her husband, Pepper; parents, William and Irene Tilford; brother, John Tilford; sister, Joann Simants; brother-in-law, Wesley Simants; and great-grandson, Roman Kale White.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Christian Wake Service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are to the Lincoln Connection. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.