Howard M. White Jr., age 74, of Helena

Howard Maxwell “Mac” White, Jr. passed away in his home on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 3:40a.m. with his wife and daughter at his side. Mac was 74 years old. Howard White, Jr. was born on December 18, 1942 at home in Townsend, MT at 9:45 p.m. to Howard and Edna White.

Howard graduated Salutatorian from Broadwater County High School in 1961. He went to Western Montana College, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. While in college, Howard worked most summers with the U.S. Forestry Service.

After graduating from college, Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 1966. He completed basic training in San Diego, CA and received additional training in Memphis, TN. His first assigned duty was in DamNeck, VA. In October 1967 he was selected for Officer Candidate School and was assigned to Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. After completing Officer Candidate School, Howard served on the USS Fort Mandan LSD-21 as a Gunnery officer and a Deck Department Head. After being promoted to Lieutenant, he served as a Force Training Officer for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He served as Assistant Director of Naval Personnel for the 5th Naval District. Lastly he served as navigator and personnel officer on the USS Trenton LPD-14 before resigning his commission in 1975 after 8 years and 7 months of active duty.

Howard moved to Georgia after leaving the Navy and worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Gasoline Marketeers, Inc. before moving back to Montana in 1976. Upon his return to Montana he worked for Agri Feeds and Services, Inc. for a few years. In March of 1980 he began working for Dowell Schlumberger (formerly Dowell Division of Dow Chemical Co.) which took him from Williston, NO to Rock Springs, WY, and Evanston, WY until leaving that company in June 1984.

After Howard returned home he began working as a rural letter carrier in Helena. He continued working with the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 2008.

For those that knew “Mac” you knew his easy going way and uncanny ability to pull large amounts of trivia out of thin air. He was a pool of knowledge and loved to teach; from helping nieces and nephews with math homework, to teaching his daughter to drive and shoot a gun. He loved to play games and it was quite an accomplishment if you could beat him in a game of Cribbage or Pinochle. You could often find him solving the newspaper’s crossword puzzles, in ink no less. He was an avid reader and loved reading just about anything, but his favorite author was Louis L’Amour. Due to this love of books, he found himself serving on the Broadwater County Library Board for a number of years.

Howard was also a gunsman, and enjoyed spending time with his nephew, David Riley, participating in Cowboy Action Shoots. Howard was also a member of the Sun River Rangers Shooting Society.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Howard M. White, Sr.; his mother, Edna Bennett White; his eldest sister, Betty Riley; and two brothers-in-law: Walter Biskupiak and Jovie Prebil.

Howard is survived by his wife, Perrie White; his daughter, Amy White Platt, and her husband; along with 5 step-children: Marty Cloud, David Cloud, Drew Cloud, Kristi Ore, Tracy Cloud, and their spouses. Surviving grandchildren: Joshua T. Willis (and wife Rebekah), Katie Platt, Hannah Platt, Mariesa Cloud, Justin Cloud, Sean Cloud, Brian [ore, Elizabeth [ore, Alisha [ore, Melina Ore, Olivia Ore, Jackson Cloud, and Charlie Cloud. Surviving Great-grandchildren: Peyton Willis, Sophie and Quinn Meader. Howard has 3 surviving sisters: Lois Prebil, Mary Biskuplak, and Marjorie Blewett. Surviving brother-in- law, Richard “Pete” Johnson, and sister-in-law, Christine Palmer. He is also survived by 8 nephews, 7 nieces and their families.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Deep Creek Cemetery, Townsend.  Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Howard.

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

10:00 a.m.

Saturday May 6, 2017

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

After the service

Saturday May 6, 2017

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial with Military Honors

After the reception

Saturday May 6, 2017

Deep Creek Cemetery

Townsend, Montana 59644

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