William Watts Sturges

Mr. Sturges died on January 3, 2011. He was born in New Haven, CT on June 4, 1923, the son of the late Wesley A. and Myra Watts Sturges. Bill graduated from Hamden Hall Country Day School and entered Yale University in 1941. His education was interrupted by service in World War II as a fighter pilot in China. He graduated from Yale in 1947 and from Columbia Law School in 1950. After graduation he became a member of the Indiana Bar and Secretary-Treasurer of a furniture manufacturing company.

In June 1947, he married Anne Hathaway Jenkins of New Haven, CT.

Mr. Sturges moved his family to Charlotte in 1953 and became an associate in the law firm of Lassiter, Moore and Van Allen. In 1958, he set-up his own firm and in 1963 joined with Maurice Weinstein in a firm that became known as Weinstein and Sturges. For many years he represented the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. He was active in the NC Bar Association serving as Chairman of the Labor Law Committee for several years and was a member of the American Bar Association. He retired in 1987.

Bill was an aviation enthusiast, becoming an instrument rated pilot, and flew his own plane for many years. Most of his flying was for business, but occasionally he took a vacation trip to Naples, FL and once a memorable trip to Puerto Escondido near the Mexican-Guatemala border.

Mr. Sturges was active in Boy Scout Troop 17 and served as Chairman of District 2 of the Mecklenburg Council. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church as well as the Charlotte Country Club and the Linville Country Club.

Mr. Sturges is survived by his wife of 63 years Anne, sons Wesley and his wife Claudia and William H. and his wife Teresa; four grandchildren, Kristin and her husband Dr. Sean Hair of Charlotte, Garrik Sturges of San Francisco, CA, Lindsey and her husband Robert Smith of Louisville, KY, Alex Sturges of Charlotte; three great grandchildren, Wesley Hair, Everett Hair, Joshua Smith; his brother Douglas W. Sturges and sister-in-law Mary Jane of Aurora, OH.

Private internment will be at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte. A memorial service will be held at Harry and Bryant on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Lisa Saunders officiating. The family will receive friends following the service and later at the home of Wesley & Claudia Sturges.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226.

Condolences can also be extended at www.harryandbryantfuneralhome.com