William Clyde Edwards, Jr.

William “Bill” Clyde Edwards, Jr. , of Winston-Salem, NC,  died peacefully on January 2, 2024 at the age of 93.  Bill was born on April 19, 1930 in Greensboro to William Clyde Edwards and Mary Elizabeth Carter Edwards. Bill was raised in Raleigh and graduated from Hugh Morson High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of Chi Psi fraternity. He was a lifelong Tar Heel fan.

After graduating from UNC, Bill served his country in the United States Navy in Alameda, CA and Virginia Beach, VA.  At the completion of his military service, Bill embarked on a distinguished career with Wachovia Bank where, using a textbook and a pencil, he founded the International Department.   He remained in that department for 33 years until he retired. Bill loved his work which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world.  He felt the best gift of all was the connections he made among a worldwide community of bankers. His favorite countries included England, Germany and Japan, and he especially loved Australians because “they were a rowdy bunch”.  Bill was a member of Rotary International, and his travels allowed him to further its mission of advancing peace and understanding through the fellowship of business leaders.

In addition to Bill’s work at the bank, he was an instructor at the LSU School of Banking of the South.  He was proud to be able to mentor young bankers on their career path in international business.

Bill was a gentle soul and will be remembered for his many interests. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner.  He enjoyed a good cup of coffee, lots and lots of ice cream, NYT crossword puzzles, all kinds of gadgets, backyard birdwatching, the mountains, duck hunting, picking blackberries, live theater and especially music. His daughters have fond childhood memories of falling asleep as he played Percy Faith records on a nearby stereo.

In addition to being an eloquent writer, Bill had a terrific sense of humor and was a great teller of jokes.   One never knew from where his next quip would come.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nancy Edwards Fowler; and his second wife, Reba Fincher Edwards.  He is survived by his three daughters, Lydia Arden Rollins (Fran) of Helotes, TX, Lauran Allyson Greene (Scott) of Atlanta, GA and Elisabeth Ashley Borowicz (Mark) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his four grandchildren, John Palmer Greene II, MD, Mary Frazier Greene Lind (Peter), Olivia Mansfield Borowicz, and William Brice Borowicz; and his two great grandsons, Kevin Hudson Shooter and Anders Scott Lind; and his first wife, Barbara Thompson Jackson.

The family would like to thank Bill’s devoted caregivers: Rolanda Baldwin, Ada Farmer and Jeannette Patton for their tender loving care in Bill’s final months.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, April 29, 2024, in the clubhouse at Homestead Hills Retirement Community.  Ice cream will be served!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Blue Ridge Conservancy, P.O. Box 568, Boone, NC 28607, Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or a charity of your choice.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Edwards.