William “Bill” MacDonald Gupton, Jr., 63, passed away peacefully at the Levine &; Dickson Hospice House at Southminster, Charlotte, NC, on June 16, 2015, following a brief, courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Charlotte on July 28, 1951.
After receiving degrees from Davidson College and UNCC, Bill taught at McClintock Junior High and West Charlotte High School for several years. He enjoyed fourteen summers in various capacities as staff at the YMCA’s Camp Thunderbird. He also co-founded, along with Nancy Yudell, a middle school ski club and taught rock climbing, backpacking and outdoor skills to high school students and adults.
Bill left North Carolina in 1981 to begin a twenty year successful career in pharmaceutical sales and marketing. He won numerous state and national awards, including his company’;s highest honor, the President’s Club Award. When Bill returned to Charlotte in 2001, he became involved with the Sierra Club and many other organizations whose missions are to protect the environment. Bill’s involvement with these groups was not passive.
He organized and coordinated meetings, work sessions and protests. He often lobbied agencies in order to advance agendas that would protect the environment and support a clean energy economy. Bill’s contributions were recognized by our community when he received the Sustain Charlotte’;s 2013 Leader of the Year Award. He mentored and inspired countless others to work to make the world a better place.
Bill is survived by his wife Nancy Yudell; step-sons Adam and Mark Segal; sister Janet Gupton Holt; daughter Katie Gupton; and nieces Anna Holt Upton and Meredith Holt. He is predeceased by his parents William MacDonald Gupton, Sr. and Emma “Red” Allen Gupton. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he influenced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Carolina Sierra Club, Chapter 19, W. Hargett St., Suite 210, Raleigh, NC 27601 or to any other environmental organization of your choice.
A gathering for the celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 pm at RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, 4601 Nevin Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a chair or blanket and a memory of Bill you may want to share.
Online condolences may be made www.tributecremationsociety.com.