William Brymer McWilliams

William Brymer McWilliams passed away in Raleigh, NC, on February 23, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen Herndon McWilliams; his daughter Kinsey McWilliams Wennerstrom (Jim), of Durham, grandchildren Hannah, Eric, and Georgia; daughter Elizabeth McWilliams Kimzey (Bryan) of Houston, grandchildren Harris and Claire; and nephew John Harvey McWilliams, IV (Sarah) of Montgomery, AL and his daughters, Anna and Alice. Bill was preceded in death by his father, John Harvey McWilliams, II, his mother, Elizabeth “Dorothy” Brymer McWilliams, and brother, John Harvey, Ill, all of Montgomery.

Bill was born on August 28, 1939, in Birmingham, AL. He was a graduate of Parrish High School in Selma, where he perfected his tennis game and won several regional titles. He continued playing at Washington & Lee University, where as tennis captain he won the Southern Conference title. Bill was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Omicron Delta Theta fraternities and participated in ROTC. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree.

After serving in Korea as Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Bill returned to begin his lifelong career in banking at Wachovia in Winston-Salem, where he met his wife Karen Ann Herndon, of Albemarle, NC. He worked for several financial institutions, including Bank of Virginia, Bank of America, and GE Capital, jobs that led him and his family to Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and ultimately back to settle in North Carolina.

Bill had a generous spirit, especially for children in need. While serving in Teagu, Korea, he established an orphanage to care for abandoned children encountered. In Raleigh, Bill served on the board of the Daniel Center for Math and Science, an organization that helps close the education gap for disadvantaged students, where he passionately fundraised and delighted in the program’s successful students.

Lovingly known as “Billy Mac,” Bill was passionate about his tennis, crossword puzzles, his dog Bailey, and all things sports. No matter where he lived, he was an avid Tar Heel fan and never abandoned his Roll Tide roots. He was a great dancer, a sharp dresser, and he adored his family.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 2 at 3:00 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s St, Raleigh, NC.

Thank you to Charlotte, Shannon, and Donna, and the many caregivers from Transitions LifeCare who helped the family during this time.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The Daniels Center for Math and Science, https://danielcenter.org/donate-now, or mailed to The Daniel Center, 735 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

Arrangements are in the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.