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Lawrence William White
Lawrence “Larry” William White died Feb. 28 in Sarasota.
He was born in Chicago in 1935 to William and Josephine White.
In the 1980s, he directed the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. He moved to Sarasota in 1991 to serve as the executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the convention center. He was especially proud of his development of the Powel Crosley Estate, an event and wedding host location. He retired in 2010 from the BACVB.
Mr. White’s successor at the BACVB, Elliott Falcione, offered a remembrance: “Larry was a true leader in Florida tourism, and his work in the Bradenton area greatly impacted our community. His vision and dedication helped create thousands of hospitality jobs and improved the quality of life for residents. Larry was one of a kind and will be deeply missed.”
No service is planned.
He is survived by his partner of 16 years, Michelle Hollingsworth of Sarasota; daughters Deanna White McAlexander and husband Andy of Memphis, Tennessee; Laura of Dover, Delaware, and Andrea White Berryhill and husband Tony of McRae, Georgia; stepdaughters Lori Simmons and Jane Simmons of Panama City; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.