William Carl Voigt Jr.

William Carl Voigt, Jr., 91, of Mountain Brook, passed away February 15, 2014. “Bill,” loving husband of Maurine Evelyn Kidd Voigt, was born to William Carl Voigt, Sr., and Ruby Lee O’Barr on November 10, 1922. He was predeceased by his older sister, Helen Voigt Schoppert. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn, of Birmingham; his sister, Frances Voigt Pope, of Orlando, Florida; and by his children Valerie Evelyn Voigt, of Palo Alto, California; Cynthia Voigt Walters, of Birmingham; and William Carl Voigt III, of Birmingham. He is also survived by grandsons Crawford Lee Voigt and Eric Enslen Voigt of Birmingham, and granddaughters Elana Athena Voigt of Bremerton, Washington, and Kala Astarte Lee of Palo Alto, California.

Mr. Voigt was in the first graduating class at Mountain Brook Elementary School, and graduated from Phillips High School in 1940. He then attended Birmingham Southern College until the attack on Pearl Harbor, whereupon he enlisted immediately in the United States Navy. The Navy sent him to Georgia Tech, Columbia University, and Cornell for technical and officer training in preparation for his assignment as Engineering Officer aboard USS-LSM371. He had the good fortune to watch the ship being built, and personally arranged with the shipbuilders for an unused space in the hull to be outfitted as a spare fresh water tank, affording his crew the luxury of a little more fresh water than enjoyed by the crews of other ships of its type. That modification exemplified his eye for innovation and his cheerful talent for negotiating, both of which served him well throughout his life.

Mr. Voigt’s Navy service included the Battle of Okinawa, presence at Tokyo Bay for the formal Japanese surrender, and the occupation. He had received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering while in the service. Upon discharge he pursued an engineering career, culminating in his presidency of Voigt-England Company (now Voigt-Abernathy Company), specializing in process equipment. He married Evelyn Kidd in December, 1948, embarking on family life with great relish. He always advised his children, “Work hard, play hard.” He was devoted to his family, and enjoyed sharing his love of nature and the great outdoors, often by hiking, water skiing, boating, and bicycling. Neighbors around the Mountain Brook area for years often saw him driving a 1955 vintage M151 Army Jeep with a German Shepherd on the hood and up to 12 kids riding at one time.

He was also known for riding a bicycle around Mountain Brook with his son in the front basket, daughter on the back rack, and other daughter standing behind him and holding on around his neck. Never known for slavish adherence to conventionality, he was a favorite with adults and youngsters alike, who appreciated his sense of fun, devotion to community, and zest for life. An avid Auburn fan, he had a collection of favorite Auburn shirts, hats, jackets, and other memorabilia.

Mr. Voigt was Past Chairman and longtime Board Member of Manufacturers Agents National Association (MANA). He was also a member of the Ancient Mariners Naval Midshipmen Association, the LSM-LSMR Association, the Birmingham Aero Club, Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity (Auburn University), and Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honorary Fraternity. He was a Life Member of Auburn Alumni Association, and was active in The Club and the Vestavia Country Club. He was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church and gave enthusiastic financial support to the Methodist Children’s Home, Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, and numerous other charities.

Mr. Voigt will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL on Friday, February 21, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.; a memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 11 A.M. in the chapel at Canterbury United Methodist Church, In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Canterbury United Methodist Church “Brown Bag Project” (http://www.canterburyumc.org/brownbag).