Davidson College – In Memoriam

Charles Stegall of Raleigh died on April 14, 2023 at the age of 90. Born in Marshville, North Carolina, he was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Bruce Stegall and Georgie Dean Stegall, and his brother Robert Stegall.

He was married to Carolie Hatsell Stegall of Hubert, North Carolina from October of 1964 until her death in July of 2006. More recently, he has been special friends with Heike Schichtel (originally from Germany) from April of 2009 until the present.

Charles attended Wingate Junior College and Davidson College, both in North Carolina, and he was stationed in Germany for 18 months as a member of the U.S. Army. His career was in Radio Programming at stations in New Bern, Greenville, Raleigh for 32 years at WPTF, and Wake Forest for eight years at WCPE.

For many years, he was a member of Unity Church in Raleigh where he was a co-sponsor of the YOU for ten years and head of the Video Team for another ten years. At the time of his death he was a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. During his time in Raleigh, he has served on a number of boards including Rotary Club of North Raleigh, Friends of the College, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Student Theater Guild.
His passions were radio broadcasting, classical music, the mountains, and long one-on-one lunches with friends.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2023, 11 AM at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Oberlin Road in Raleigh. The service will also be streamed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church (Music Program), 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 or to North Raleigh Rotary (Ukrainian Orphan Program), PO Box 17724, Raleigh, NC 27619.

William Rutherford “Bill” Sadler, 82, passed away peacefully at the University of North Carolina Hospice Home, Pittsboro, on April 12, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer. A longtime resident of New York City and Garrison, N.Y., he had been a resident in recent years of Galloway Ridge near Chapel Hill. His family was by his side.

Born in Little Rock, Ark., on May 9, 1940, Bill was educated in the wonderful public schools of his native city before moving on to Davidson College in North Carolina. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Germany, Bill continued his formal education as a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at Cornell University, after which he earned an MBA at Columbia University. A long career in investment research and management followed, beginning at Smith Barney & Co. His investment work carried him to Irving Trust Company, NSR Asset Management, which became Pine Tree Capital where he was president, and finally Lord Abbett & Co.

On a trip to Puerto Rico in 1968, Bill met his lifelong partner and later husband, William “Bill” Hicks, a pioneering New York theatrical and political fundraiser. They soon became known as “The Bills” and for their irrepressible, often devilish humor as well as active civic engagement. Both were devoted to their Black Labradors, Lola, Olive and Velma, affectionately called “The Girls.”

Bill Sadler’s mischievous smile and laughter at his own foibles will long be remembered. He often cited Hicks’s chiding him on lengthy correspondence. “What are you doing, writing another War and Peace?” Recipients relished the sequels. As they did the playful and occasionally acerbic wit that enlivened his commentary on the passing scene. He loved travel, which stimulated his curiosity and added to the considerable depth of his understanding of and thoughtful insights into history and politics. He was an unabashed Anglophile, who also loved his gardens.

After buying a home in Garrison in 1995, The Bills helped establish an endowment for supporting gymnastics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, across the Hudson River, that today totals millions. Bill Sadler was also an active board member of the Desmond-Fish Public Library in Garrison where he chaired the Nominating Committee for several years. A longtime member of The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, he served on the Session and as president of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Investment Committee.

The Bills moved to the retirement community of Galloway Ridge in 2016. Bill Sadler soon became chairman of its Employee Scholarship Fund Committee, raising funds for employees to pursue higher education. In short order, the funds quadrupled. He was also active in the Chatham County Democratic Party, was a dedicated fundraiser for state offices, and was co-chair of the Galloway Ridge Villa Democrats, spearheading the group’s get-out-the-vote initiatives and happily achieving a turnout rate of 100 percent in his neighborhood.

Bill is survived by his nephew, Alfred G. Duncan III of Los Angeles, and his niece, Darrielle Duncan of Jacksonville, Fla. He was preceded in death by his beloved husband; his parents, Gladys McClain Sadler and William Harold Sadler; and his sister, Marilyn Sadler Duncan. At his express request, there will be no service. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598 (800-942-0149) or to the Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care, 100 Roundtree Way, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312 (984-215-2675).
Bill cherished this life and he wishes all a joyous life in their own days ahead.

James Dilley Davis, age 89, passed away peacefully in the early evening of April 6, 2023 in Harrisonburg, Virginia after a challenging battle with Alzheimer’s. Jim was born on March 22, 1934 in Marlinton, West Virginia to James Layman Davis and Helen Dilley Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sybil Davis Compton, brother Larry Davis, and brother William Davis.

Jim grew up in the Allegheny Mountains in the prosperous little town of Marlinton in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. He was raised in the family apartment above Davis Motors, his father’s auto garage, farm equipment and automobile dealership. He spent his younger years repairing trucks and delivering John Deere tractors & American Motors cars for his dad to customers across the state – sneaking away to swim in Knapps Creek with his friends whenever he had a free moment. Jim was a voracious reader, a lover of classical music, and a passionate student of history and was always very proud to have won West Virginia’s prestigious Golden Horseshoe Award for excellence in state history in 1948.

After graduating from Marlinton High School in 1952, Jim started his university education at Davidson College, intending to become a Presbyterian minister. As graduation approached, he found himself at a crossroads and left college, volunteering to join the U.S. Army. Jim served for two years in Germany and Lebanon. While posted to Heidelberg, Corporal Davis met and fell in love with a young university student, Gunda Elise Ursula Stassen. Jim returned to the U.S. in 1959 to complete his undergraduate studies in History and English at West Virginia University and authored many letters to Gunda back in Germany. Inspired by their time together and her own spirit of adventure, Gunda decided to join him in America and they married in 1960 in Jim’s hometown of Marlinton. The young couple settled soon after in Morgantown, West Virginia where Gunda worked at the local hospital and Jim continued his education. Jim received his law degree from the WVU College of Law in 1963.

With diploma in hand, Jim took a job with Deere & Co, joining the Industrial Relations Department and the young couple moved to East Moline, Illinois. Jim began his career at the John Deere Plow Works, rising to eventually become Deere’s Global Vice President of Industrial Relations when he retired in 1988. While Jim’s professional responsibilities required that he represent the company, his Mountaineer upbringing gave him a unique ability to connect in a truly personal way with his counterparts in the United Auto Workers, the International Association of Machinists & the Patternmakers Unions and he was always very proud of the lifelong friendships he built with union and management colleagues alike. Post retirement, Jim served as the President of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the Chairman of the Scott County Republican Party, the Chairman of the USS Iowa recommissioning task force and as a member of the board of the Principal Financial Group funds. During these years, he also partnered with regional businesses and political leaders to bring to life a new Midwest-based airline – AccessAir – and built a successful consulting practice, a true public-private partnership that brought numerous steel and other heavy manufacturing jobs to Iowa.

In his later years, Jim had more time to indulge his ever-present passion for gardening and could often be found on his tractor, planting hostas, and fighting off the deer that came to view his little Eden as a buffet. Throughout his life, he remained extremely active in community life – with State and County government, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the Bettendorf Presbyterian Church and in organizing and fighting for causes about which he felt strongly – particularly protecting the rights of retirees. His last great battle was a multiyear effort to level the playing field for Iowa with respect to the taxation of retiree pensions. The bill that he had pushed so hard to create was passed by the Iowa legislature and signed into law just a year before his passing.

Jim is survived by his wife Gunda Stassen Davis, his children Matthew Davis, Andrew Davis, and Sybil Johanna Davis, his grandchildren Max Davis, Emma Davis, Jack Davis, Avery Davis, Brinley Davis, Graham Davis, Aubrey Davis, and Alastair Davis-Spence.

Jim’s ashes will be inurned at Mountain View Cemetery in Marlinton, West Virginia at a date to be determined in the Fall of 2023. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on August 5, 2023 at the Weerts Funeral Home, 3625 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport Iowa. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm with the funeral service to follow at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorial donations or contributions be made to The Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Graeme McGregor Keith was welcomed home on March 31, 2023 with shouts of adulation and triumphant celebrations as he entered the gates of heaven, embraced in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For those of us left behind, we grieve, but we grieve with hope, knowing that one day we too will be reunited, worshiping Jesus with him.

Graeme was born November 12, 1932, in Greenwood, South Carolina, the son of William Calhoun and Lucille Harvey Keith, and brother to his best friend, the late William “Bill” Harvey Keith.

Graeme entered this world with God-given curiosity, charm and charisma, a drive and a spirit for excellence, the ability to make friends that transcended space and time, and was the ever-enduring epitome of a southern gentleman.

Graeme graduated from Greenwood High School and later attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, on a full athletic scholarship. There he displayed his talents both on the golf course and as the captain of the Davidson Wildcats basketball team. Ever the purser of excellence, his eyes met that pinnacle the day he crossed paths with Gloria Ellen Dowd one fateful evening on the campus of Queens College. They were married on December 12, 1954 at Myers Park Methodist Church in Charlotte. Gloria was the crown jewel and love of Graeme’s life for 63 years, and as she herself penned, “their love was set in eternity,” and into eternity they shall reunite. Gloria was called home into the arms of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 30th, 2017.

Graeme served in the United States Army as 1st Lieutenant from 1954 to 1956 and in May of 1956, Graeme embarked on a career in banking that would eventually position him to become the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of a British bank’s major U.S. subsidiary, BarclaysAmerican. Prior to that, he served faithfully for 17 years with First Union National Bank as City Executive and Regional Executive Vice President in Durham, Greensboro, and Charlotte. Graeme’s experience in the North Carolina market poised him to venture south to expand and grow the Georgia banking market. There, Graeme held the position of President for Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company as well as Vice Chairman of First Railroad & Banking Company.

However, it was a fateful day in February 1989 when he and his first-born son, Graeme (Greg) McGregor Keith, Jr. decided to step out in faith and build something together that even their dreams could not comprehend. Their desire was to honor God and glorify Him forever. This manifested itself in the business they founded, The Keith Corporation, a privately-held, full-service commercial real estate firm. Their client portfolio includes a wide range of companies including multinational Fortune 500 corporations, top-rated hospitals, Department of Defense contractors, industry giants, and fast-growth startups. For the past 34 years, Graeme and his team have delivered the highest level of quality, service, commitment and excellence to their clients. What a joy it was for Graeme to know that what started as a step of faith with Greg would be a legacy that would carry on from one generation to the next, now with two of his grandsons as a part of the business.

This same level of excellence and desire to serve carried over to all aspects of Graeme’s life, including his civic endeavors and philanthropic ventures. Graeme was an active member and elder at his church, Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Graeme also served as Board Emeritus for Samaritan’s Purse as well as Board Emeritus for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Graeme later served as Elder of Moments of Hope Church. He was honored to be the Director of The Good Fellows Club and Trustee for the Metropolitan YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

Further investments to his community included Board of Trustees for Southeast Bankcard Association; Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army for the State of Georgia; Board of Trustees for Augusta Preparatory School; President for the Augusta Chamber of Commerce; Chairman and Corporate Marketing Committee for American Bankers Association; President’s Advisory Council for the Medical College of Georgia; Chairman for St. Joseph Hospital; Director for First Financial Management Corporation; Treasurer and Member of the Executive Committee for Charlotte Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the YMCA’s many Capital Campaigns; Chairman of Capital Campaigns for both his alma mater, Davidson College, and his beloved wife’s alma mater, Queens University; President of Charlotte City Club; Vice President for University Research Park; Board of Directors for First Union Bank; Board of Trustees for Arts & Science Council; Director for Presbyterian Hospital Foundation; Director for Foundation for the Carolinas; Board of Trustees for The University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Board of Trustees, Chairman, and Head of Development Committee for Davidson College; Chairman of the 1996 Carolinas Billy Graham Crusade; and Board Chairman for Communities in Schools of North Carolina.

Graeme was also a recipient of the John R. Mott Award for YMCA of Greater Charlotte; Davidson College Distinguished Alumni Association Award; Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Queens University; and the Charlotte Ethics in Business Award for The Keith Corporation.

More than the business affiliations, memberships, honors, and awards, Graeme was first and foremost a family man. His legacy that will last longer than any of the accolades collected over the course of his lifetime are the shining stars in the trophy case of his heart: his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to whom he is more affectionately known as “Pop.” Today, each one carries the light of Graeme that will be passed down for generations. He lived and taught integrity, character, faithfulness, kindness, hard work, chivalry, friendship, love and forgiveness.

Graeme was a great friend. He saw into the heart of everyone he met, making them feel as if they were the only person in the world. He valued people, he valued their time, he valued their talent, and he sought to bring out the best in everyone. Whether picking up his dry cleaning or speaking to the President, Graeme treated everyone with respect and was an image-bearer of God.

Pop lived a full life. He was a blessed man, loved and admired by family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances alike. He now rests in peace having run the race well. No matter what challenges he faced, Pop knew God to be good and sovereign, working all things to the good of those called according to His purposes. So Pop pressed on to that blessed shore. He has been welcomed home safely to harbor in the arms of Jesus, rejoicing and singing with his beloved wife, Glo, and his dear friends who traveled before him. Pop has now heard the words of Jesus sweetly spoken, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Those left behind do not grieve without hope. Pop placed his faith in the one and only Son of God, Jesus Christ, and one day we will once again be reunited with him in heaven. Pop believed that the Holy Bible was the inspired, divine, and inerrant word of God, and he believed what he read in the Bible to be the absolute truth. Pop believed that God created the world, man sinned, and God, in His great love and mercy, has spent the rest of human history pursuing His people, so much so that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die a sacrificial death on a cross, so that we might be restored and redeemed to a right relationship with Him. Pop knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior and he wanted others to know Him as well.

The family appreciates the attentive care given to Graeme by Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte Region. We are incredibly grateful for the devotion and countless hours of his caregivers Patti Johnson, Grace Martinez, Cammi Hayes, Jebolisa Ilukwe and Sergio Morales; for Diana Allen for her many years of devoted service as his assistant and friend; and for his friendships at The Cypress that gave him much joy and laughter.

He will be lovingly remembered by his three children: Graeme (Greg) McGregor Keith, Junior and his wife India Early Keith, Russell Dowd Keith, and Carey Ellen Keith Heberton and her husband Scott Ewing Heberton; eight grandchildren: Dowd Simpson and her husband Webb, Graeme Keith III and his wife Jennifer, Barrett Hughes and her husband Brock, Tanner Girdwood and her husband Thomas, Cody Keith, Ryan Keith, Locke Heberton and Ellie Heberton; and eleven great-grandchildren: James, Willow, Winnie, Mercy and Eden Simpson, Graeme McGregor Keith IV, Holmes (aka Lil’ Mack to Pop) and Baines Hughes, Maggie, Mays, and Bella Grace Girdwood.

We will celebrate the life of Graeme at Myers Park Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 11 am. The family will receive friends following the service in Oxford Hall. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations in honor of Graeme McGregor Keith sent to any of the following organizations: Samaritan’s Purse: mail to: Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org; Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Library: mail to: BGEA Library, One Billy Graham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28207; The Keith Family YMCA in Charlotte, NC: mail to: YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Attention: Keith Family YMCA, 400 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202. Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com. As his precious wife penned, “One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” Graeme McGregor Keith will remain a fond memory in the lives of those he loved for all of eternity.