Billy Webster White

Billy Webster White was born February 22, 1934 in Bowie County, Texas. He passed from this life on August 23, 2019 in Mesquite, Texas. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Lillie Belle White, one daughter, Debbie Belt and husband David, one son Billy White, Jr. and wife Rochelle, brother Bob White, sisters Wanda Pickering and husband Charles, Regina (Deannie) Bergt and husband Jerry, five grandchildren; James Belt and wife Holly, Leslie Frantz and husband Brad, Aubrey White, Michael Belt and wife Lara, Amanda White and five greatgrandchildren; Pierce, Landon and Caroline Belt, Lillie Belle Frantz and Blakely Belt along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Northie and Bertie White of Hooks TX, three older brothers; M.C. White of Shreveport LA, Troy D. White of Hooks TX and Roy Lee White of Paris TX. He was a 1951 graduate of Hooks High School in Hooks TX. Apart from the years 1963-65 Mr. White was a resident of Mesquite TX since 1956. He was a well-respected member of the community with very deep roots in the city. As he told one of his grandsons recently, Mr. White started working when he was 14 and never stopped. I believe his first job was at a service station in his home town of Hooks TX. As a young man he worked for several Volkswagen dealerships as manager of their service departments as well as for Volkswagen of America from 63-65. He also sold vacuum cleaners door to door, first for Kirby and then for Fairfax, eventually becoming the Dallas region manager for the latter. In his younger days he also raced Sprint Cars on half-mile dirt tracks such as the Devil’s Bowl Speedway and Texarkana Speedway. He gave that up in the mid 1960’s after an accident or two made him reassess his family and business responsibilities but it didn’t end his lifelong love of cars and racing. In 1975 he opened what would become Store # 1 of Action Rent-To-Own in Broadmoor Plaza in Mesquite. Over the next 21 years he would grow that business into 102 store across seven states. After selling the company in 1996 he founded White Properties, Inc. as a commercial real estate and investment enterprise. He was still working almost every day in his office there until he went into the hospital in March of this year. Over the course of his life and business career he received numerous awards and recognitions as well as serving on many boards. There are too many for a complete list but here is a short sample. Founding member of Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) President of TARA Member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) President of APRO APRO Legislative Achievement Award, 1986 APRO Lifetime Achievement Award, 1998 Board Member of Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, 1985-87 Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year, 1987 100 Heroes of Mesquite ISD’s First 100 Years Founded Action Stereo & Appliance in May 1975 Founded Action Rent-to-Own in 1978. Founded White Properties, Inc. in 1998. 100 Fastest Growing DFW Private Companies Served as Dallas County Grand Jury Member Organizing Shareholder and Board Member of Mesquite National Bank Organizing Shareholder and Board Member of Town Bank Mesquite