William Wood

William McBrayer Wood (Bill) of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully on August 23, 2011, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with numerous health issues. Bill was born on January 27, 1942, in Greer, SC, the son of the late Oliver Gillan Wood and Grace McBrayer Wood. His great, great grandfather was the famed Civil War surgeon and hero of the Battle of Atlanta, Dr. Peter Paul Noel d’Alvigny, who emigrated from France in 1830.

His Memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2011, at St. Michael Anglican Church, 2211 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC. Reverend Richard Bakely will officiate. Receiving of friends will follow.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Dobson Wood; sons, Walter McBrayer Wood of Raleigh, NC, William Lewis Wood of Newport Beach, CA, and George James Spiros of Charlotte, NC; step-children Margaret Starnes of Chattanooga, TN, Craig Haney of Charlotte, NC, and Stephanie Haney Hobbs and husband Landon Hobbs of Greer, SC. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Oliver G. Wood, Jr. and wife Jean Wood of Columbia, SC, and nephews Corey Wood, Andrew Wood, and Brian Wood.

Bill earned a BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina in 1964, a JD (cum laude) from the USC School of Law in 1972, and an LLM in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law in 1980. He was admitted to practice in SC, FL, and DC.

From 1965-1968, Bill achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force and volunteered twice for Vietnam, serving 15 months there. He remained very close to his Vietnam and Air Force friends.

From 1972-1974, Bill was a Tax Law Clerk for Chief Judge Wilson Cowen of the United States Court of Claims, now the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. From 1974-1978, Bill practiced law in Greer, SC. From 1978-1979, he served as Assistant Professor at the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

From 1980-1985, Bill was a partner with the Shutts & Bowen Law Firm in Miami, FL. Since 1985, he had been in private practice in Florida and South Carolina, first from his law office in Miami and later from his residence in Charlotte.

He served as lecturer for many years at various law schools including Emory, Nova, and Hofstra. He was certified by the SC Supreme Court as a Mediator. Bill was a brilliant lawyer in the field of Trust and Estates. Scores of clients relied on his knowledge and experience.

Bill loved his family and his country. He was proud of his children, and they were equally proud of him. He was especially proud that his sons Walter and Lewis became Eagle Scouts, and that George will be next. Bill and Jeanette enjoyed traveling, especially the riverboat cruises in Europe and their recent train trip across Canada.

Two of Bill’s favorite places were the beautiful Kanuga Episcopal retreat in Flat Rock, NC, and at his beachfront home on Holden Beach, NC. Bill’s favorite activities included photography, and cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Miami Hurricanes, and the Florida Marlins. He also was an accomplished pianist, and he relished the Charlotte Symphony concerts and singing two years on the Singing Christmas Tree in Charlotte.

Bill and Jeanette are active members at Saint Michael’s Anglican Church.

Memorials may be made to Saint Michael’s Anglican Church, 2211 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC, 28105 or The Salvation Army, 4335 Stuart Andrew Blvd., Ste. 120, Charlotte, NC 28217.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.