Herbert Stackley White, Jr.
1925 - 2022 (96 years)-
Name Herbert Stackley White Suffix Jr. Birth 6 Sep 1925 Gender Male Death 1 Apr 2022 Person ID I83268 Stewartsny Last Modified 2 Dec 2025
Family Joan Marie Nicholas, b. 2 Jun 1936 d. 10 Jul 1980 (Age 44 years) Marriage 2 Jan 1954 Children 1. Herbert S. White [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] Family ID F27942 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 2 Dec 2025
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Notes - Herbert White was a successful real estate agent broker/owner of White's Realty. Longtime "Wheel of Fortune" hostess Vanna White was raised by Herbert after her mother, Joan, and her biological father Miguel Angel Rosich, separated when she was an infant. Vanna took Herbert's last name before initially achieving stardom as the iconic "Wheel of Fortune" hostess in 1982. Herbert Stackley White Jr. was 96 (and ½) years old. We included the ½ because every single day mattered to him. He had such a sly sense of humor that it's no wonder he chose April Fool's Day to leave. He wanted to bring us one last touch of laughter. Herbert was preceded in death by his father and mother Herbert S. White Sr and Marie Brockington White along with his older siblings Delores, Jack, Herbert Jr (oddly after this Herbert died soon after birth they later named dad Herbert Jr), Virginia Carmichael, Frances Gordon and younger brother Delong White, a daughter Paula Kelly Vinesett and son Chris Smith, along with two wives, JoAnn Spencer Celani and Joan Nicholas White. He has been happily married to Paula Bayne White for 40 years. They have had an amazing life together. He is the father of Joe Spencer White (Orlando), Vanna White (John), Chip White (Eve), Dawn Lee, Hope Norbech (James) and Grandfather to Richard and Michael Cook, Elizabeth Ann Vinesett, Tea Norbech, Kyra Ethridge, Brittany Alloway, Kit Smith and Crawford White. Plus a host of great-grand-children. It truly is difficult to describe his life on paper. For close to 66 years he called North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove and Crescent Beach) home. He loved this community; was proud of the growth he saw and did all he could to make it a better place for people to live and vacation. Wherever he traveled he told folks of this wonderful beach that he called home. Here he ran restaurants, a hot dog stand, worked 20+ years in Post Office (Crescent, Windy Hill and Main branch), sold real estate until he completely lost his eyesight. Even then he would wander to the office and chat with other agents' potential buyers. He quietly helped others without bragging or expecting anything in return. He would help young professionals learn the real estate ropes from the law to selling. He silently helped families in need with donations of goods and money, and always gave generously to his town. He also had his strong political opinions and loved America, 'his country' as he called it. He was often seen wearing his Korean War Veteran cap and talking with other vets about their service. He supported and honored all vets. He didn't like the spotlight although received tons of attention. He was always dressed to the nines in his sports coat, slacks, button up shirt and nice dress shoes. Everyone loved Herbert! The world knew how proud he was of his wife and family. We can only hope he knew how proud we were of him and the man he was. How grateful we are for the love, the life lessons and wonderful memories he provided for all of us. Yes, there are so many things we left out, couldn't remember, didn't have space for or honestly still don't know about him. He lived a full and happy life. We will miss him, we will cherish the time we had with him, we will continue to share tears, love, laughter and tales among family and friends.
- Herbert White was a successful real estate agent broker/owner of White's Realty. Longtime "Wheel of Fortune" hostess Vanna White was raised by Herbert after her mother, Joan, and her biological father Miguel Angel Rosich, separated when she was an infant. Vanna took Herbert's last name before initially achieving stardom as the iconic "Wheel of Fortune" hostess in 1982. Herbert Stackley White Jr. was 96 (and ½) years old. We included the ½ because every single day mattered to him. He had such a sly sense of humor that it's no wonder he chose April Fool's Day to leave. He wanted to bring us one last touch of laughter. Herbert was preceded in death by his father and mother Herbert S. White Sr and Marie Brockington White along with his older siblings Delores, Jack, Herbert Jr (oddly after this Herbert died soon after birth they later named dad Herbert Jr), Virginia Carmichael, Frances Gordon and younger brother Delong White, a daughter Paula Kelly Vinesett and son Chris Smith, along with two wives, JoAnn Spencer Celani and Joan Nicholas White. He has been happily married to Paula Bayne White for 40 years. They have had an amazing life together. He is the father of Joe Spencer White (Orlando), Vanna White (John), Chip White (Eve), Dawn Lee, Hope Norbech (James) and Grandfather to Richard and Michael Cook, Elizabeth Ann Vinesett, Tea Norbech, Kyra Ethridge, Brittany Alloway, Kit Smith and Crawford White. Plus a host of great-grand-children. It truly is difficult to describe his life on paper. For close to 66 years he called North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove and Crescent Beach) home. He loved this community; was proud of the growth he saw and did all he could to make it a better place for people to live and vacation. Wherever he traveled he told folks of this wonderful beach that he called home. Here he ran restaurants, a hot dog stand, worked 20+ years in Post Office (Crescent, Windy Hill and Main branch), sold real estate until he completely lost his eyesight. Even then he would wander to the office and chat with other agents' potential buyers. He quietly helped others without bragging or expecting anything in return. He would help young professionals learn the real estate ropes from the law to selling. He silently helped families in need with donations of goods and money, and always gave generously to his town. He also had his strong political opinions and loved America, 'his country' as he called it. He was often seen wearing his Korean War Veteran cap and talking with other vets about their service. He supported and honored all vets. He didn't like the spotlight although received tons of attention. He was always dressed to the nines in his sports coat, slacks, button up shirt and nice dress shoes. Everyone loved Herbert! The world knew how proud he was of his wife and family. We can only hope he knew how proud we were of him and the man he was. How grateful we are for the love, the life lessons and wonderful memories he provided for all of us. Yes, there are so many things we left out, couldn't remember, didn't have space for or honestly still don't know about him. He lived a full and happy life. We will miss him, we will cherish the time we had with him, we will continue to share tears, love, laughter and tales among family and friends.