Thank you for posting this, Fred. How did you find out? (Unfortunately, I can't find any mention of this on local newspapers' web sites.)

I was increasingly concerned as we have been hearing that Bill wasn't particpating in Council activities recently. Bill had a long, long record of service to Chapel Hill, Orange County, and the State of North Carolina. His voice will be missed, especially on the critical issue of racial justice in our community. 

We had some differences, but I still considered him my friend. I'm really sorry to see him go.

Bill liked to greet me by fussing about something or other that I or the University had done, and while he often meant it, he always did it with a twinkle in his eye. 

Bill would always greet me with a smiling hello and a warm handshake. He'd ask me how things were going and then he'd always say "How come you never call me? When are you going to come over and have coffee with me?"

I'd tell him soon and we'd shake hands again as we parted. Unfortunately, soon never came. I'll miss Bill. So will Chapel Hill.

In the past Bill and I would meet from time to time at Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe to discuss transportation issues, and sometimes other topics. I always felt like I was in the presence of someone with extraordinary personality and warmth. I had lost contact with him more recently, and now I regret not getting to know him better. The news came as a shock to me, and it is very sad news indeed.

James Coley

I too will miss Bill. He always would have a friendly word to share with my son when I would bring Carl to various Town meetings.

Bill and I were both elected to the Council in 1977 (my second term, his first) and I served two years with him (I resigned in 1979). He had a heart of gold. Many underestimated him or thought him superficial, but that was just one of Bill's personas. I will try to get over to Chapel Hill Friday for the funeral.