William Donald Rankin

William Donald Rankin (aka Don, W.D, Bill), husband of Vicki Hylton Rankin (married 61 years) of Charlotte, NC, peacefully passed away on February 21, 2024 at the age of 86. Born in Chicago on October 22, 1937 to William and Helen Rankin, Don was raised in Ashland and Welch, West Virginia where he met the love of his life, Vicki Lou.

After the passing of his mother at age 10, Don went to live with his aunt and uncle, Irene and Victor Deak. Raised alongside his cousins Eddie, Victor, Mary Helen Brown, and his younger brother Jimmy Rankin, Don learned his strong work ethic in this close-knit community. Don worked for his uncle, where he helped build their house and drove a dump truck delivering coal for heating through the mountains of West Virginia only forgetting to put the parking brake on once!

Don joined ROTC at Marshall University, where he also worked to pay his tuition. After graduating in 1959, Don commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, eventually attaining the rank of Captain.

Don and Vicki were married on September 1, 1962 in Powhatan, WV, and had two children, Jenna and Eric. Jenna married Don’s beloved son-in-law, Eddie Stedem, and they had two children, Taylor and Wesley Stedem--both graduates of UNC-Charlotte. Eric’s daughter Samantha Rankin Mohr, and her husband Spencer, are graduates of West Point and stationed in Alaska.

He was crazy about his grandchildren and was able spend over 25 years with them. He was devoted to affording better opportunities to his children and grandchildren than he had when he was a child.

Don was a devoted husband, father, and family man. He had many nieces and nephews; Chris, David and Mary, by his brother Jimmy and his wife Carol, as well as Christopher (RIP March 15, 1982), Matthew, and Jordan of sister-in-law Sherry and her late husband Tom Burton.

Don was an athlete and avid tennis player. He was an assistant football coach for the best-ever Pop Warner football team to ever take the field. He enjoyed taking Vicki Lou to attend at least 900 sporting events of their children and grandchildren. He was the most dependable person ever! He was very generous to his community. He liked trains... he made sure everyone had one.

Don worked at Hartford and then Royal Insurance for over 30 years. He was a member of St. Matthew's Church since 1986 and lived in Charlotte for 45 years. He was very disciplined and loved God, Country, and Family… especially his Vicki Lou.

Family will receive friends on February 29th in the Chapel of St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC, 28277 from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm with mass following.