Bill graduated from Michigan University receiving a BS in Forestry and obtained his MF in Forest Soils from the University of Michigan. After working in the United States for a number of years, he accepted a position in Colombia where he worked for 12 years; later he and Dr. Bruce Zobel established an international consulting firm where they worked in the tropics all over the world. Bill was very well respected in his profession. Bill held the position of Assistant Professor in the School of Forestry at North Carolina State University. The US Congress and other governments around the world invited him to give many lectures. Bill wrote “La concesión del Bajo Calima,” “Manejo Práctico de Plantaciones Forestales en el Trópico y Sub-trópico,” “Control de Incendios Forestales en Bosques y áreas Silvestres” in Spanish.
He is survived by his wife Gladys Lopez Ladrach of 40 years; son Robert J. Ladrach, wife Rene and their two sons; step son Paulo Morales, wife Evelyn Levy Morales and their three children.
His generous nature and kind disposition won him numerous friends.
A memorial service will be held 9:00am Thursday, July 26th at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511, immediately followed by a brunch reception at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.