William Will White ( 1872 – 1931)
According to one of William Will Whites’ granddaughter and what I discovered about him…. William White married Carrie Hayes in 1903 in Chariton County Missouri. And to this union there were three children. Russell White who was born in 1906, William Roy White (1907 – 1988) and Mary (Welthia) White Spencer (1913 – 1964).
William Will White was listed on the 1920 and 1930 Chariton County Missouri censuses as married but, without his wife, Carrie. He was listed on the 1900 Chariton County Missouri census as single. Where was William Will White on the 1880, and 1910 censuses?
According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, William didn’t know his date of birth. According to the censuses, he was born between 1872 – 1875. His death certificate states his birth was on October 15 or October 13, 1872. His parents were unknown. He passed on Oct 13, 1931 in Chariton County Missouri.
Rebecca “Becky” White # 1
This Rebecca White married a Randolph Jackson on November 19, 1887 in Fayette, Missouri. She wasn’t listed on the 1870 or 1880 Missouri censuses. Nor was she on the 1920 and 1930 censuses. She was listed with her husband Randolph on the 1900 and 1910 censuses in Howard County, Missouri
Rebecca “Becky” (White) Jackson had five children. Delia Jackson ,Minnie Jackson, Birdie (Jackson) Wilhite, Gussie (Jackson) Broadus and Florence Jackson Graves .
This Rebecca was born between 1868 – 1871. Her parents were from Virginia on the 1900 census and from Missouri on the 1910 census. She was listed as mulatto on the 1900 census. Don’t know when Rebecca passed.
Rebecca “Becky” White # 2
This Rebecca White marred a James Sheppard ./ Shepherd on April 29, 1911, They were living in Fayette, Howard County Missouri. They had two children; William Sheppard / Shepherd. and Louise Sheppard / Shepherd.
Rebecca was counted on the 1880 with her parents. Her father was Peter White who was mulatto from Virginia. Her mother was Francis Ann Vivion / Vivan from Missouri. Rebecca had a brother named William White. According to her death certificate her father was Pete White and her mother was not listed. According to the censuses records, Rebecca was born between 1868 – 1874.
Crop photo of the 1876 Howard County Missouri census.

Rebeca was listed on the 1930 Missouri census with her husband James in Richmond, Howard, Missouri. According to the 1940 censuses, she was living with her husband in Fayette, Howard, Missouri since 1935. She passed on April 17, 1945 in Fayette, Howard, Missouri
Wondering if Rebecca was married twice?
There are missing years and gaps from the census. Comparing the Rebecca Jackson and Rebecca Shepherd on the censuses that they weren’t listed on. They could have been the same person.
Rebecca White Jackson was listed on the 1900 in Richmond Missouri and 1910 in Fayette, Missouri.
Rebecca White Sheppard was listed on the 1880, 1930 in Richmond, and 1940 in Fayette, Missouri.
Both lived in Richmond, Howard County, Missouri and Fayette, Howard County Missouri. .
What’s the connections between the surnames of Wilhite with Sheppard?
There was a John Wilhite in the Shepard household on the 1940 Missouri census. He was listed as the head of house’s stepson. But, he was 13 years old. Rebecca , his mother was born ca 1870? John was more likely a the grandson of Rebecca.
As for the Rebecca “Becky” White
In conclusion, The two Rebecca’s had either children, grandchildren or relatives with the same names. Gussie Jackson and Gussie Shepherd. Both had a connection with the Wilhite surname. This is so confusing to figure out. I have to let this one rest for a while and come back to it.
But still again,, there was a William L. Sheppard who was the informant of Gussie Broadus’ 1960 Missouri death certificate. Could he have been Gussie’s uncle? This William lived in Moberly, Missouri. I believe that he was.
November 2, 2024
Thanks for reading.
Who Were William Will White And The Miss Rebecca Whites?
I don’t think that William Will White and Rebecca White Shepherd were sibling because her brother William passed in 1949.. How I wish that they were related.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley