William Warren Womble, age 82, of Charlotte, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019. Warren will be remembered by all who knew him as a man with a full heart for his husband, Rob, his sheepdog, Maggie, and the many social and cultural causes he cherished.
Warren began his career as an educator, and even after he left the classroom he continued as a master teacher of life and love to the many friends and colleagues by whom he was always surrounded.
He was a lifelong advocate of the arts, for the less fortunate, and for animal causes as demonstrated by his support of numerous institutions and philanthropies, to include The Penland School of Craft, Time Out Youth, and Sheepdog Rescues.
Warren was born on Dec. 14, 1936, to Emily Gurley Womble and William Jesse Womble of Sanford, N.C. He earned his B.A. at Davidson College and his M.A. in French at the University of NC at Chapel Hill. After teaching at Washington and Lee University in Virginia and then at Queens College (now Queens University) in Charlotte, he was employed by First Data Corporation (later McKesson) as Senior Product Consultant for which he traveled widely and frequently as a corporate educator for many years until his retirement.
Warren’s mountain house on the edge of the Linville Gorge was a place of peace and tranquility. He loved to cook for his friends. He shared the house with a collection of works by North Carolina craftsmen and Rob’s collection of Japanese tea bowls. Sitting on the front deck he watched the shadows on Grandfather Mountain and briefly glanced at deer or bear. Maggie was always by his side keeping him and Rob safe.
Warren is survived by his husband and partner of 60 years, Rob Williams; his beloved sister Brenda Womble Atkins and her husband Robert of Charlotte; nieces Janet Orr and husband David; Amy Cooke and husband Brian; great-niece Emily Chuqui-Conder; and great-nephew Brian Cooke.
A “Meeting of Friends” service will be held at Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home in Charlotte on January 19, at 3 PM, reception following. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Warren Womble Scholarship at The Penland School of Crafts (67 Doras Trail, Bakersville, N.C 28705) or Time Out Youth (3800 Monroe, Charlotte, N.C. 28205), or to a charity of choice
Published in Charlotte Observer on Jan. 13, 2019