Remembering Bill Womble

A Powerful Force for Good in Winston-Salem: 1916-2016

Postings |


bill-womble-singleRemembering Bill Womble: A Powerful Force for Good in Winston-Salem  1916-2016

William F. Womble (Bill) was a dear friend to Senior Services and the Winston-Salem community. Even as he neared his 100th birthday, Bill still sought ways to help others less fortunate in Forsyth County. In one of his last acts of philanthropy, Mr. Womble leaves his mark as the 2016 Individual Presenting Sponsor of the 2016 Evening for Alzheimer’s Care, a fundraising event to provide scholarships at the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center of Senior Services. 

We had the honor of sitting down with Mr. Womble at the Health Care Center of Arbor Acres just weeks before his passing, during the course of our conversation three themes emerged as consistently important: family, community, and law.

Family

Bill and Jane

Bill spoke passionately about his 68-year marriage to late wife Jane Gilbert Womble ending with her death in 2010. Together they had four children, thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; he spoke proudly of them all.

Bill and Allan

He also told me of the 40 + years of close friendship he and Jane had with Bill and Allan Hollan, and of his marriage to Allan in 2012.

Community

The following excerpt from a letter penned by the Robert Strickland Family Foundation, which at the time Bill called “the most remarkable letter I have ever received,” sums up his service to others perfectly:

“He was, is, and remains a powerful, guiding force for goodness here in Winston-Salem; and we are blessed to know him and honored by his friendship”

Citing his exceptional leadership, vision and genuine love and compassion for others, the letter went on to inform Bill that a very generous pledge had been made in his honor to the Senior Services’ Aging with Purpose campaign – a tribute that touched him tremendously.

Bill fondly remembered time spent delivering Meals-on-Wheels with his wife Jane, calling it one of the most rewarding of his service to others. Womble truly valued the one-on-one experience with each person on their route, recounting, “you just felt like you were doing something worthwhile.”  Bill became a member of the Senior Services board of directors in 1998. He also served as the Annual Fund Chair in 2004.

Law

Bill proudly followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the law firm of Manly, Hendren, & Womble upon his graduation from Duke Law School in 1939. There were then just four partners and Bill, as the sole associate.  In his more than 50-year career, Bill made far-reaching contributions to the legal community; immersing himself in civic and community issues and taking on a variety of leadership roles in the North Carolina and American Bar Associations.

The main thing Bill wanted people to know? Your life and what you do with it, is important. And he has had a wonderful one!

Senior Services extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Bill Womble.

 


Stay Up to Date with the Latest News

Back to Top