COWPENS – Former Cowpens Mayor William Edward White, 75, of 144 Martin Lane, died Dec. 12, 2009, at Countryside Village nursing home in Easley after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born Jan. 29, 1934, in White Stone, he was the son of the late John and Vienna Jones White. A graduate of Cowpens High School, he received an associate’s degree from Spartanburg Methodist College.

Mr. White served as the mayor of Cowpens from 1991 to 2002. Prior to being elected mayor, he served on the Cowpens Town Council for 15 years. During his tenure of public service, he also served as president of the Spartanburg County Municipal Association.

Known to his work colleagues as Bill, he was employed by Hoechst Celanese, and the company’s previous owners, retiring in 1988. Mr. White’s first job was with the Department of Agriculture. He served in the Army Reserve during the Korean War and was a member of the Cowpens Lions Club and Salem United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball until the age of 50 and was also an avid fan of the sport. His favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. Mr. White also had a love for farming and cats, but his favorite role was that of husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include a daughter, Lori White Gleason and her husband, David Gleason, of Goose Creek; a son, William “Bill” E. White II and his wife, Susan White, of Germantown, Tenn.; a son, Joel T. White and his wife, Lisa White, of Liberty; and five grandchildren, Canaan Byrd, Margaret “Maggie” White and William “Liam” E. White III of Germantown and Rebecca Gleason and Daniel Gleason of Goose Creek. He was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Ann Threadgill White.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at Floyd’s Greenlawn Mortuary, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. at Salem United Methodist Church, 5425 N. Main St., Cowpens, conducted by the Rev. Roye Lynn Kulik and the Rev. Angelia Price. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, Spartanburg.

Members of the Cowpens police and fire departments will serve as pallbearers. Honorary escort will be members of the Cowpens Lion’s Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 160, Cowpens, SC 29330.

The family is at the home of Dot and Jack Story, 104 Love Springs Road, Cowpens.

An online guest register is available at www .floydmortuary.com.