Waylon Arlen White, a Howard Payne University alumnus, longtime coach and Baptist layman, died Oct. 25 in San Angelo. He was 89. He was born on Nov. 29, 1934, in Big Spring to William Jewel White and Elouise Pittman White. After he graduated from Forsan High School, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree at Howard Payne University, where he also played basketball. He later completed a master’s degree at Sul Ross State University. While at Howard Payne, Arlen met and married Dolores Mabry. White served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. His career as a teacher, coach and counselor spanned 1966 to 1994. He coached in Knott, Sands and Crane, accumulating 525 basketball wins and guiding two teams to the state tournament. At age 78, he returned to coaching basketball at Cornerstone Christian School in San Angelo. He coached his last game from a hospital bed via Facetime—and his team won. He was a disaster relief volunteer with Texas Baptist Men, now known as Texans on Mission. In 2009, he established the TBM West Central Texas specialty feeding team, serving as its on-site coordinator. His team ministered to many survivors of national disasters including every major hurricane until 2016, when his health began to decline. His influence extended through numerous community organizations, including the Howard Payne Alumni Association, Texas High School Coaches Association, Crane Noon Lions Club and the Baptist Retirement Community Auxiliary. He also served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Crane and later at First Baptist Church in San Angelo. He served as Crane County Judge for six years and was recognized as Crane’s Man of the Year in 1987. In 2007, Howard Payne University awarded him its Medal of Service. He was preceded in death by his brother, George Alvin White. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolores; son Kurt White and his wife Kim; daughter Terrye Smith and her husband Rick; son Robert White and his wife Shelley; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
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