By Staff
Hollis William Gwinn, Jr., (“Bill”), 65, died on Monday, June 23, 2008 at his home in Belhaven, N.C., surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Louisville, Ky., on October 14, 1942, to the late Hollis and Frances Gwinn, Bill graduated from Eastern High School in Louisville, Ky., in 1960 and attended the University of Louisville on a football scholarship. While attending the University, he was a member of the Triangle Fraternity, the Fraternity of Engineers, Architects and Scientists. He subsequently transferred to the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., and in 1967, he graduated from UK with a Bachelor of Architecture. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Greensboro, N.C., with his family and began his formidable career in architecture. Bill was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Public Awareness Committee of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and was appointed to the Panel of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association. In 1980, he was certified as an Energy Analyst by North Carolina State University. He was a past member of the Construction Professionals Network of North Carolina as well as countless other professional and civic organizations throughout his life.
He was a proud member of the Delaware Tribe of the YMCA Indian Guides with his son, John, and during his membership, he was elected Chief of the YMCA Indian Nations. He served as an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 214 of the Boy Scouts of America and was tapped for the Order of the Arrow. In 1962, he was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Bill’s passion for architecture was immeasurable. He not only viewed architecture as a career, but also as an art form and his designs reflected his desire to not only create beautiful structures but also to create structures which enhanced the beauty of the world around them and structures which respected the environment.
Bill was a great humanitarian, who did not know a stranger. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He had an incredible sense of humor. Because he was such a gracious and kind person throughout his life, he was blessed with countless wonderful friends.
He loved the outdoors, and he especially loved to camp, fish and sail. He was an incredible cook and he loved to work with his hands and his tools. Shortly before his death, he was able to fulfill a life-long dream of moving to the beautiful North Carolina coast so that he could be close to the water that he loved so much and in this process discovered the beauty of eastern North Carolina. While living there, he was able to enjoy many beautiful sunsets with his wife, Grey, and earned the nickname “Mr. Sundowner.”
Bill and Grey were members of First Lutheran Church in Greensboro, NC, where they were married. On May 7, 2008, Bill and Grey were confirmed as members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath, NC.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Grey Gwinn, by his daughter, Allison Prendergast and his granddaughter, Anna of Greensboro, NC and by his son, John Gwinn, his daughter-in-law, Nancy, and his grandson, Samuel of Brooklyn, NY, as well as by countless loving and devoted friends.
A service of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2008 at Bonner Point, in Bath, NC with the Reverend Raymond M. Souza, Rector, officiating. The family will receive friends at the family home at 583 East Main Street, Belhaven, NC immediately following the service.
A Memorial Service will also be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at First Lutheran Church, 3600 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC with Pastor Charles M. Zimmerman officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Community Home Care &Hospice, 814 Washington Plaza, Washington, NC 27889 or to the ALS Association, 120 Penmarc Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Please feel free to sign Bill’s guest book by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is serving the Gwinn family.
Paid Obituary