William Graham Faris

Born in Nashville, TN, Bill was the youngest son of Claude and Dorcas Faris, and spent most of his childhood in South Carolina. He was a proud Clemson Tiger, graduating in 1958 and serving eight years as sergeant in the US Army Infantry Reserves.

Bill followed college with a cross-country road trip that gave him happy lifelong memories – working two years at architectural firms in Palo Alto and San Francisco CA and finishing with a two-month drive around Mexico. Upon returning to South Carolina, he met a fellow artist, Gladys Going – their first date was a watercolor outing – and a few years later they were honeymooning and painting in Charleston.

In 1971 Bill and Gladys moved their family from South Carolina to Wilmington where Jefferies & Faris Architects was launched. Bill made enduring friendships in Wilmington – in the arts and design communities, through church, and on the water. Although he’d never sailed before, he fell in love with the sport and especially enjoyed the roundtrip races to Cape Lookout with the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association. He was a longtime member of the Cape Fear Power Squadron, holding several leadership positions, and First Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder and worked to create the columbarium where his ashes will be interred.

Until the end of his life Bill maintained his love for art and design, and he filled his time painting, drawing, and printmaking for as long as he was able.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Gladys Faris, and brothers Claude and Thomas Faris. He is survived by daughter Jeannie Norris and son-in-law George Norris of Raleigh NC, son Graham Faris and daughter-in-law Karen Faris of Myrtle Beach SC, and grandchildren Liam Norris, Megan Faris, Anne Elise Norris, and Alec Faris. He is survived also by wife Caroline Faris of Simsbury CT.

A memorial service will be held in the Kenan Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 125 South Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of William G. Faris Sr. online or by mail to the Jefferies & Faris Associates Merit Scholarship Endowment at UNC-Wilmington or to First Presbyterian Church, 125 South Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Condolences to the family may be made at brownwynneraleigh.com