Friday 25th January 2013:
Danny Howell writes ~
The funeral of Stuart Vivian White took place at Christ Church, Warminster, at 2.00 p.m. today (Friday 25th January 2013). Stuart was very well-known locally, owned property in the town including the building which houses the Prestbury Club, and was a very generous man. He was small in physique but big in heart. He certainly had a lovely way about him, and was often referred to by those who knew him as “a character”.
The White family were much respected as haulage contractors and coal merchants. Stuart was born on 16th August 1923. His brother John was born seven years later. Stuart attended Sambourne School and sang in the choir at Christ Church. When Stuart was ten years old, tragedy struck, with the death of both his parents. This led to Stuart and John being split up. Stuart went to live with his Uncle Billy in Warminster, and John went to live with an aunt in Westbury.
Stuart went to work in the haulage business for his uncle Billy White, eventually driving lorries and travelling with loads to all parts of the country. In 1972, Stuart became the owner of the business, and he secured contracts with the shoe parts manufacturers, Strode Components, and with hauling stone for the Yeoman Quarries. Stuart was assisted in this by his cousin Roy White.
Stuart retired from the haulage business about twenty years ago, letting out the yard at Portway, but Stuart used to still go and unlock the yard gates every morning and lock them up again at night. For Stuart, “the business” was his life. In 2010 I asked him why he continued keeping the yard, when he was being offered considerable sums of money for it, and Stuart’s short reply was: “Someone else can deal with that sort of thing when I am gone.”
When Stuart sold his bungalow and the land with it, at Deverill Road, for residential development (Giles Hollow), Stuart moved to a house at The Grove, Portway, Warminster.
About three years ago, Stuart went into the Westbury Nursing Home, at Westbury, for a short time stay of respite care, but because he liked it so much, he chose to stay there permanently. He was visited often, not only by family but by many friends who liked to listen to Stuart talking about the old days.
During his long life, Stuart often went to the Old Bell in the Market Place or the Nag’s Head at Portway for a pint and a natter. Up until the time of his death he still enjoyed a glass of Guinness.
Stuart White passed away on 10th January 2013. He was aged 89.
At his funeral, the coffin was carried in to Christ Church, to the music of When The Saints Go Marching In. The hymns Abide With Me and The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended were sung. The Reading was Psalm 23.
The poem When God Saw You Getting Tired (written anon) was read:
When God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
He put his arms around you
And whispered come to me
He didn’t like what you went through
And he gave you rest
His garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best
And when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful and free from pain
We wouldn’t wish you back
To suffer that again
Today we say goodbye
And as you take your final rest
That garden must be beautiful
Because you are one of the best.
The Battle Hymn Of The Republic (John Brown’s Body) was played as the coffin was carried out of the church. The interment, for family only, took place in Christ Church churchyard. A wake was held afterwards at the Conservative Club, Prestbury House, Warminster.
Donations in memory of Stuart are going to Cancer Research UK, and can be sent to the funeral directors, F. Curtis And Son, 11 Portway, Warminster, Wiltshire.