At the outbreak of World War II, many educated African Americans found the calls to defend a democratic ideal in Europe rang hollow as they couldn't enjoy the same benefits in the United States, and launched the Double V campaign to demand that if their sons were willing to sacrifice their lives in the war, they should be given the same opportunities for advancement as the rest of the country.

[4] As a result, by the time William enlisted in the Navy in October 1943, the Navy had decided to implement a trial program, selecting 16 African American sailors as Officer Candidates as a segregated class, now known as the Golden Thirteen.

[5] After the war William returned to his role at the U.S. Attorney's Office, then headed by Otto Kerner Jr.

Upon Kerner's election as Governor in 1961, William would serve as an assistant state's attorney for Cook County.

[3] William Sylvester White passed away at his home in Hyde park at the age of 89 on February 16, 2004.