Joseph "Sonny" White, 82

"Sonny" Joe White, 82 of Kalispell, passed away Aug. 22, 2023. He was born Oct. 30, 1940 in Shelby, Montana. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry L. "Rinso" White and Pearl Evelleen Foss White; brother, Tracy White; and sister, Nancy White.

He was a devoted family man who is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn White; his sole surviving brother, Bert (Connie) White; his eight children; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. 

Sonny’s children are Jodi "Lightfoot" White Bolinger, Tracy "Scooter" White, Madison Glass, Bill (Bonnie) Follett, Brian (Kim) Follett, Michelle (Parnell) Granger, Heidi (Tim) Martin, and Alexis (John) True Ackerson. Grandchildren, Zachariah White, Gabriel White, James (Courtney) DeHart, Aaron Follett, Jazmin Ely, McKenzie Ely, Jessica Stiller, Kody (Lindsey) Stiller, Justean (Daniel) Browitt, Trevor (Jenny) Shannon, Staucia (Joel) Kosoff, Rachael (Levi) Mazurek.

He was an Air Force veteran who earned a top-secret security clearance and attended Yale University to become a Korean linguist. He also had a deep passion for music, singing, and writing. In 2004, he self-published his memoir, "Bury Me in Montana." His faith was also a cornerstone of his life, grounding him in times of joy and adversity. 

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1185 Old Reserve Dr. Kalispell.