William Claywell McGimsey

William Claywell McGimsey ( Bill or Billy to everyone) passed away on Tuesday, Sept 3, 2024 of heart failure at the age of 69 in his usual style, quietly and on his terms, having just passed his birthday on August 28. Bill was the son of Dr. James Franks McGimsey, Jr and Louise Clark McGimsey, RN, both deceased, of Morganton, North Carolina. He is survived by his four siblings: James Franks McGimsey III of Mt Dora, FL, Judith McGimsey Baker (Gregory) of Morganton, NC, John Clark McGimsey (Lijie) of Charlotte, NC, Thomas Clinton McGimsey (Anne) of Dublin, Ireland; and nephews and nieces: James Franks McGimsey IV, Lua McGimsey Stam (Mels), Johnny McGimsey, Tommy McGimsey, Kieran McGimsey and Clara McGimsey. And beloved pets: 2 Frenchies (Louie and Sophie); a Boston terrier (Lexie), 3 Cats (Archie, Reggie, and Tomas), and 2 Birds (Bobby, an African Gray Parrot and Gussie, a Cockatoo)

Bill was a delight to be around, whether hiking in the woods, cooking in Louise’s kitchen, or watching reruns of 1950-60s TV westerns where we tried to understand if Mr. Dillon and Miss Kitty were a thing along with our grandfather, Mr. Jim, or why young Timmy was always needing rescue by Lassie from the mineshaft. His version of Bigfoot loafing along, glancing over his shoulder was always a riot. Many wonderful summers were spent in the Morganton City pool, teaching swimming lessons, lifeguarding, endlessly swimming laps and winning swim meets with our enormous crowd of Morganton friends and families. He was quite proud of his time at Outward Bound on the edge of the Gorge in the early 70s, and soon took Jim, Judy and John to the Chimneys to rock climb and repel. Always the skeptic, the scientist, with humor and reserve, he led a life of adventure and friendly privacy.

Bill was a lifelong student, a 1973 graduate of Morganton High School, and earned a B.S. in Natural Sciences and 2 M.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology from Western Carolina University. Running out of advanced courses at WCU he then moved quickly to earn a Ph.D. in human anatomy from UNC-Chapel Hill, and then taught anatomy to medical students as an instructor in the UNC School of Medicine. Restless, he became an instructor in anatomy at a Monserrat medical school, only evacuating when the Monserrat volcano erupted in 1995 and ended classes. Landing in Houston, he became a professor of anatomy at a chiropractic program teaching international students. It was there he met his life partner, Chris, in 1996.

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery is assisting with arrangements in Texas. A memorial gathering will be held in Morganton, NC at a later date.