William "Luke" "Gator" White

William Wayne White, affectionately known as Luke and by his CB handle Gator, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, in Del Norte, Colorado, at the age of 75. Born on December 16, 1949, in Magnolia, Arkansas, to William and Frances White. William led a life rich with stories and connections.

A graduate of Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico, William embraced life as a laborer, primarily in the oil and gas industry. Though he often drifted from place to place, he had an extraordinary gift for making friends wherever he went, never knowing a stranger. His amiable nature endeared him to all, and he shared countless tales of his life and adventures with anyone willing to listen.

William was proud of his roots, and his family. He had three brothers, Gene, Harvey, and Daniel, and three sisters, Evelynn, Lenah, and Vivian. A lover of the great outdoors, William had a passion for hunting and was eager to learn new things, frequently found engrossed in educational shows. Those he conversed with often heard his trademark phrase, "not necessarily," followed by a correction accompanied by a smile.

William's life was enriched by the special friendships he fostered, and he relied on the kindness and care of those who loved him, including Manuel and Linda Atencio, Michelle and Stan Montoya, and Frankie Sierra and Benjamin Barr.

In honor of William Wayne White's adventurous spirit and love for nature, cremation has been chosen, and his ashes will be scattered in the majestic mountains he so cherished.In celebrating his memory, let us carry forward his love for life, his thirst for knowledge, and his unwavering spirit. William will be deeply missed but fondly remembered in our hearts.