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William E. "Bill" Poe
 December
18, 1923 —
December 18, 1999
Former Club President and
District Governor William E.
(Bill) Poe died December 18,
his birthday. He was 76.
A member of the prestigious
Charlotte law firm of
Parker, Poe, Adams and
Bernstein for 40 years,
former President Bill was
probably best known in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
community for his inspired
leadership of the school
board during the difficult
days of court-ordered
desegregation in the 1970s.
The Charlotte News named him
Man of the Year in 1970 for
his effectiveness.
A Charlotte Observer
editorial said about his
leadership (he was on the
board from 1964 to 1976, the
last 10 years as chair): "It
is difficult today to
recapture the strong
feelings of that time. The
school board was deeply
divided over how to respond
to the court order; so was
the community. Mr. Poe led
with courage, integrity and
an unshakable conviction
that the rule of law was
essential to the welfare of
the community.
"A key to this community's
ability to meet great
challenges has been the
willingness of its most
talented citizens to serve
in elective office. Bill Poe
was one of the best of those
public servants.
"He did not shrink from
conflict, because he knew
the value of what was at
stake. Without strong
leadership, citizens of
differing opinions might
have split this community
into angry factions
incapable of acting for the
common good.
"In a time of great testing,
Bill Poe helped hold his
community together. We are
all in his debt. May his
example inspire others."
Bill Poe was a devoted
Christian; he was a member
of First Baptist Church
where he served for more
than 40 years as a deacon
and Sunday School teacher.
He was president of the N.C.
Baptist Men in 1982-1985 and
president of the N.C.
Baptist Convention from
1985-87.
An Oxford native and Wake
Forest graduate with a law
degree from Harvard
University, Bill was deeply
involved in the legal
profession, serving in many
leadership positions during
his distinguished career. He
served as chair of the
firm's management committee
from 1984 to 1991.
A U.S. Army Air Corps
veteran of the European
Theater in World War II, he
served in many civic
leadership roles including
chair of the board of WTV1,
Inc., and Rebound and
president of the board of
Junior Achievement. He was a
trustee at Wake Forest and
Campbell universities and of
the NC Baptist Children's
Homes. In 1977 the Boy
Scouts of America presented
him the Silver Beaver Award.
Bill was devoted to his wife
Mary Virginia (Ginner) to
whom he was married for 51
years. Together, they raised
five sons and a daughter,
all of whom survive. Son Ken
is a member of Charlotte
Rotary. Two sisters and 15
grandchildren also survive
Bill.
Memorials may be sent to the
First Baptist Church, 301 S.
Davidson St., Charlotte,
N.C. 28202; the Salvation
Army, 534 Spratt St.,
Charlotte, N.C. 28206; or
The Charlotte Rescue
Mission, 907 E. First St.,
Charlotte, N.C. 28202.
The club will make a
contribution to our Student
Scholarship Fund in Bill's
memory. |
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