William Clarence McIlwain, Jr.

William Clarence McIlwain, Jr., 89, passed away on August 10, 2016 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was born September 6, 1926 in Anderson County South Carolina to the late William Clarence McIlwain and Mabel Templeton McIlwain. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Ruth Bradley McIlwain of Forest City, N.C. and his second wife Ruth Prince McIlwain of Clarkton, N.C. He was a 1943 graduate of Newberry (S.C.) High School. He attended Newberry College both as a day student and as an aviation cadet of the U.S. Navy in 1943 and 1944. He left active duty in September of 1945 and enrolled at the University of North Carolina in November 1945, graduating with a B.A. degree in Mathematics in March of 1947. He later completed the Advanced Management Program of Harvard Business School in 1969. His career in the insurance/reinsurance business spanned 50 years in Columbia, S.C., Memphis, TN, and New York City. From 1976 until 1997 he worked as a consultant, arbitrator, and umpire in the reinsurance arena.

During his retirement he enjoyed playing golf and spending time at his homes in the North Carolina mountains and the Carolina coast. He was a devoted caretaker for both of his wives.

He is survived by his three children: the Honorable William C. McIlwain, III (Sherry Johnston McIlwain) of Wagram, N.C., the Reverend Nancy McIlwain Morris (Phillip Keith Morris) of Seneca, S.C., and James Bradley McIlwain (Leigh Hutcheson McIlwain) of Winston-Salem, N.C. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: William Spurrier McIlwain of Wagram, N.C. and Sydney Elliott McIlwain of Raleigh, N.C.; Dr. Rachel Elizabeth Morris of Chapel Hill, N.C., Jeffrey McIlwain Morris (Morgan Delaney Morris) of Roanoke, V.A., and Benjamin Willard Morris (Victoria Webster Morris) of New York City; James Bradley McIlwain, Jr. (Alexandra Laudeman) of Brooklyn, N.Y., and MacKenzie Ruth McIlwain of New York City. He was especially proud to have one great granddaughter Delaney Caroline Morris of Roanoke, V.A.

The family will hold a memorial service at Brookridge Retirement Home at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Brookridge Retirement Home (1199 Hayes Forest Dr., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106). Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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