William Gilbert McLeod

William Gilbert McLeod, 96, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born to the late William Gilbert McLeod, Jr. and Isabel Byrd McLeod on November 8, 1928, in Fayetteville, NC. 

Gilbert’s childhood was marked by many challenges that greatly affected him and his future, including the death of his father while just an infant and the changing family life brought on by the Great Depression. Widowed, with a young family and needing to work, his mother moved into her family home with her mother and sister for support. Gilbert spent the school year at his grandmother’s home in Fayetteville and his summers in his beloved Carthage with his father’s sisters. Gilbert always had so many wonderful stories of his days spent in Carthage- swimming, playing ping pong and army on the porch with cousins, and Sunday afternoon visits with relatives and family friends. He always remembered it as the best place to grow up! Gilbert graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1946 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. Gilbert honorably served in WWII and Korea. He attended East Carolina University under the GI Bill where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He went on to attend graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill. Most importantly though, while at ECU, he met the love of his life, Bobbie, while working together on a school play. They were married in December, 1953, and both found work teaching in Winston-Salem.

He was a dedicated teacher in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system for 30 years. He volunteered at Bolton Elementary school for several years after his retirement. Most of his retirement years were spent being grandfather and chief babysitter, along with Bobbie, for all 4 grandchildren. His main job was to be preschool and school transportation coordinator, but he also attended all of the school activities, including piano and dance recitals and football games for all the grandchildren. He even showed them how to sled on those few snowy no-school days! 

Gilbert was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and served in many church positions during his time. He served as Elder, Deacon, adult Sunday School teacher, and worship leader. He was proud to have participated in many christenings, including those of all four of his grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corp League and enjoyed his biweekly veteran’s breakfast. In his free time, he could be found reading his books, researching genealogy, and caring for his wife in her last years. 

In addition to his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 67 years, Bobbie Caldwell McLeod; sister, Mary Catherine Downing; and grandson, William Chitty.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura Vance (Ken), and Catherine Chitty (Rick); grandchildren, Elizabeth Vance, Michael Chitty, Sarah Vance (fiancé, Kyle Burke), and Mary Catherine Chitty; special cousin, Ann Williams; numerous nephews and a niece. Gilbert was the last surviving grandchild of Dr. Gilbert McLeod and Sarah Cole McLeod of Carthage, NC. 

A Celebration of Gilbert’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends at the church at 12:00 pm, before the service. A private burial will take place at Cross Hill Cemetery in Carthage. The family would like to give special thanks to Arthur, Phil, Carmen and all the “family” at Café Arthur’s who were such good friends to Gilbert over the years. Also, the family would like to extend special thanks to his dedicated caregivers, Lori, Marian, Tereasa, and the staff with Trellis Supportive Care who helped Gilbert continue to enjoy being in his home as long as possible. Thank you also to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home staff who cared for him in his final days. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103 ; Town of Carthage Historical Committee and Museum, 202 Rockingham St. Carthage, NC 28327; or the Marine Corp League Toys 4 Tots program.