Walton County – 12/01/25 – Today, a true hometown hero was honored in Paxton. District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell and District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry were on hand for the official unveiling of the new sign commemorating William ‘Bill’ D. White, a Paxton native whose legacy reaches far beyond Walton County.

Born on January 28, 1934, White left Paxton and went on to serve in the United States Army before beginning an incredible Major League Baseball career from 1956–1969. He played for the New York/San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies, earning eight All-Star selections and seven Gold Glove Awards.

He was part of the 1964 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and is a proud member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

After retiring from the field, White became a full-time sportscaster, spending 18 years as a play-by-play announcer and color analyst for the New York Yankees. In 1989, he broke barriers by becoming the first African American elected President of the National League, serving until 1994.

Today’s sign unveiling celebrates not only his achievements but also the enduring impact he made on sports, leadership, and history.