1931
Willis
2008
Willis White
August 29, 1931 — July 6, 2008
Willis Donald "Chief" White, 76, Independence, Missouri, passed away July 6, 2008.
Willis was born August 29, 1931 in Red Wing, MN, where he was an athletic star in all sports at Red Wing High School. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of Korea, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University. Willis was the first Native American to serve on the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, where he walked the downtown beat for over 20 years. He retired after 30 years of service and received the Key to the City from Mayor Emanuel Cleaver. Willis had a wonderful sense of humor, and was affectionately known as "Chief". Following his retirement he drove a Metro bus for the KCATA. He was a member of the Apostolic Faith (Trinity) Church.
Survivors include his daughters, Rhonda Sno White of Minnesota, Melody Dawn Whitebear of Kansas City, Missouri; step-children, William Christopher White of Texas, Mary Faith White of Kansas City, Ernest Dean Mustain of Ottawa, KS; grandchildren, Wendell Whitebear, Jonathan Whitebear, Melvin White, Seno White, and special granddaughter, Crystal Whitebear; great-grandchildren, Melody Whitebear II, Lexani Whitebear, Nathan Whitebear-Kirby, Wendell Whitebear II, Angelique Whitebear; 15 step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; sisters and brother, Vivian Mireau, Marilyn Dow, Cheryl White, and Byron White, all of Prairie Island, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his father, Martin Whitebear; his mother, Elsie White; his wife, Crystal Mae White; daughter, Cindy Morning Star; step-son, Steve Cousins; and brothers and sisters, Art White, James White, Victoria White, Elisa White, and Marjorie White.
Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Sunday at Prairie Island Community Center. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the center. Burial will be Wednesday, July 16 in High Creek Cemetery in Watson, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be Donald Whitebear, Kevin Whitebear, Art White, John Wells, Byron White, Tim White. Honorary Pallbearers: Wendell Whitebear, Jonathan Whitebear, Melvin White, Seno White.
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn chapel is handling local arrangements.
Willis was born August 29, 1931 in Red Wing, MN, where he was an athletic star in all sports at Red Wing High School. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of Korea, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University. Willis was the first Native American to serve on the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, where he walked the downtown beat for over 20 years. He retired after 30 years of service and received the Key to the City from Mayor Emanuel Cleaver. Willis had a wonderful sense of humor, and was affectionately known as "Chief". Following his retirement he drove a Metro bus for the KCATA. He was a member of the Apostolic Faith (Trinity) Church.
Survivors include his daughters, Rhonda Sno White of Minnesota, Melody Dawn Whitebear of Kansas City, Missouri; step-children, William Christopher White of Texas, Mary Faith White of Kansas City, Ernest Dean Mustain of Ottawa, KS; grandchildren, Wendell Whitebear, Jonathan Whitebear, Melvin White, Seno White, and special granddaughter, Crystal Whitebear; great-grandchildren, Melody Whitebear II, Lexani Whitebear, Nathan Whitebear-Kirby, Wendell Whitebear II, Angelique Whitebear; 15 step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; sisters and brother, Vivian Mireau, Marilyn Dow, Cheryl White, and Byron White, all of Prairie Island, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his father, Martin Whitebear; his mother, Elsie White; his wife, Crystal Mae White; daughter, Cindy Morning Star; step-son, Steve Cousins; and brothers and sisters, Art White, James White, Victoria White, Elisa White, and Marjorie White.
Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Sunday at Prairie Island Community Center. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the center. Burial will be Wednesday, July 16 in High Creek Cemetery in Watson, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be Donald Whitebear, Kevin Whitebear, Art White, John Wells, Byron White, Tim White. Honorary Pallbearers: Wendell Whitebear, Jonathan Whitebear, Melvin White, Seno White.
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn chapel is handling local arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willis White, please visit our flower store.
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