Constituency Spadina, 1949 Spouse Vivian Keeler Religion Unitarian | Name Bill White Siblings Portia White Role Composer | |
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Born February 7, 1915
Truro, Nova Scotia ( 1915-02-07 ) Political party Co-operative Commonwealth Federation Occupation Teacher/Composer/Choral Group Leader Died January 23, 1981, New Zealand Party Co-operative Commonwealth Federation Residence Scarborough, Toronto, Canada | ||
Children Sheila White, Chris White | ||
William Andrew (Bill) White, III, OC (February 7, 1915 – January 23, 1981) was a Canadian composer and social justice activist, who was the first Black Canadian to run for federal office in Canada.
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1949 federal election
He stood as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation candidate in the Toronto electoral district of Spadina in the 1949 election, although he was not elected.
Order of Canada
Bill White was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 18, 1970. He was invested into the Order on March 31, 1971. The appointment was for "services to the community and his contribution to better relations and understanding between people of different racial background." Another honour he earned was the Scarborough Citizen of the Year in 1976.
Family history
He was the son of Baptist minister William A. White and the brother of famed Canadian concert singer Portia White, labour union leader Jack White, and television performer Lorne White. Bill White was the father of software designer W. Romney White, folk musician Chris White, Toronto physician Laurie White, social activist and politician Sheila White and professional musician Tim White.
Death
Bill White died in New Zealand on January 23, 1981 local time (January 22 in Toronto's Eastern Time Zone).