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Posted by Larry Jordan
on June 10, 2009, 1:13 am
69.66.111.56
Mary Reeves' nephew, Bill White -- who was appointed the conservator of his aunt's estate and then signed everything over to convicted bank fraud felon/carnival operator Ed Gregory before he paid for it (thus relinquishing Mary's security interests) -- is apparently still promoting himself as Jim Reeves' nephew in order to get singing engagements. This despite the fact that he hasn't been related to Jim since his late aunt Mary married another man 40 years ago -- in 1969. White is NOT blood relation to Jim.
Those of Jim's fans who have followed the long running saga of the Reeves estate controversy and all the litigation surrounding it know how Dr. White -- who pastors a large Dallas church -- was repeatedly manipulated by Mr. Gregory, who wined and dined him, booked him at his carnivals, and even took him to the White House. Gregory bought Bill gifts like a red tuxedo jacket resembling Jim's and got him Super Bowl tickets, to ingratiate himself with Dr. White.
The problem is that at the time all this was occurring, Rev. White was SUPPOSED to be a neutral arbiter of his aunt's affairs.
It was White who told the court that Mary did, indeed, want to sell her estate to Mr. Gregory, even though other court testimony contradicted his assertion, as did people who visited Mary personally in the care facility she was then in.
White repeatedly ignored warnings from Reeves niece Lani Arnold and others about Gregory's true intentions. What ultimately happened is that Gregory defaulted on the debt owed to Mary, stiffed her for millions, and then filed bankruptcy, listing over $34 million in debts to various creditors. During this same period, he was pardoned by Bill Clinton, after putting Hillary's brother, Tony Rodham, on his payroll! The whole sordid mess would make a good mini-series on TV.
As a direct and foreseeable consequence of White's actions, Jim and Mary's estate was sold off and thus Jim's legacy undermined.
It is easy to see why some feel that White breached his fiduciary responsibilities in the way he handled Mary Reeves' affairs. In fact, there are even legal ramifications to White that are still looming.
Given this history, it is shocking, to say the least, that Mr. White is continuing to capitalize on the Reeves name. An article in the Cleburne (TX) Times-Review reports that White, who is "known as a guitar man," was scheduled to appear at the Layland Museum "Light Up the Night" concert.
The newspaper said that "his uncle was Gentleman Jim Reeves, known for such hits as 'He'll Have to Go,' 'Welcome To My World,' 'Am I Losing You?' and others. White will sing some of these." The paper reported that he "serves on the advisory board of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage", has "appeared on the 'Johnnie High Show,' 'Opry Show' with Porter Wagoner, 'Stars of the Grand Ole Opry' at the White House in 2000, at many state fairs from Alabama to Florida to Arizona,' and many other engagements." It says "he has recorded five CDs, which will be for sale." (The Times-Review doesn't explain, of course, that the guy who got Bill booked at those fairs was a convicted bank fraud felon who was subsequently accused of more fraud and settled out of court, then defaulted on that too).
The newspaper states that "Today [Bill White] leads retreats, preaches and entertains in numerous venues."
No one begrudges Mr. White an honest living, and he is certainly free to do as he wishes in the entertainment field. But given the long trail of destruction that he has left in his wake, one would think he'd have the good sense to not continue to try to grab the spotlight by misportraying himself as being an heir to Jim Reeves. All he is doing by these appearances is confirming the suspicion that it was his own personal vanity which compelled him to make a deal with the devil. The consequences of his having succumbed to Ed Gregory's blandishments continue to adversely affect the Reeves legacy, as the singer's estate remains mired in legal wrangles. Shame on Bill White.
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