Paul S. White

Published 11:44 am Monday, May 20, 2024

Paul S. White was born in Louisville, KY in 1951 to Alpha Ann and Carl White. Diagnosed as an infant with Polio, he overcame the challenges of years of surgeries and braces walking away with a slight limp, a love for books, a deep empathy for the plights of others and a quick, analytical mind ready to engage everyone he met. He also had a sense of humor, fun and community that kept his earliest family ties to his siblings as strong as the days they palled around the old neighborhood into the recent days of family gatherings filled with playful taunts and jokes they shared. He took his jovial nature and love of learning to the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington to get his undergraduate degree in English, where he met his wife, Rachel Ryan who he married in 1972. Paul continued to pursue his education aspirations and earned his law degree in 1982 at UK. During that period, Paul and Rachel had their first daughter, Stephanie. The young family moved to Danville in the summer of 1983 with another daughter on the way; they welcomed Cassandra shortly after their arrival in the Big D. Paul began a private practice in Danville but over the next 40 years, he also served as the Assistant County Attorney for Boyle County under George McClure for a short time before returning to general practice. He also represented clients in the Court-appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program, an organization with a mission he immensely valued. He combined his passion for helping others with his legal acumen and volunteered his services to several non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Lions Club, the Boyle County Humane Society, Happy Paws and Centro Latino. He did not limit his services to the legal/administrative realm; he volunteered as the food coordinator for the Brass Band Festival, and some years, you could find him serving chili in the Lions Club booth or wearing a tool belt helping build a house on a Habitat site. He also found great joy being part of the unofficial community networks of Danville. As a member of both coffee clubs at the Red Rooster and at Preston-Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home he found lively, fun and spirited debate opportunities. Likewise, he treasured his time on the golf courses of central Kentucky perhaps as much (or more) for the conversations as for the game. He passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 15, 2024. Along with his wife, Paul is survived by two daughters, Stephanie R. Simmons (Doug Simmons) of Carlisle, PA and Cassandra C. White of Lexington. Brothers, Ronald White of Mt. Washington, David White (Suzette) of Russell Springs; sisters, Carla Meredith of Louisville and Carol Ripley of Louisville; a number of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Carlton F. White, Jr. and Alpha Ann Shelley White; a brother, Robert White. A Celebration of Life will be 12:00 PM on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home. Visitation will be 11:00AM until the time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Happy Paws Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic, Boyle County Habitat for Humanity, Centro Latino of Danville Boyle, Heritage Hospice or the charity of your choice in his honor. www.preston-pruitt.com

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