Wilmer Terry Young

1930 - 2021

Wilmer Terry Young
February 3, 2021
Charlotte, North Carolina - Wilmer Terry Young, 90, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, in Vero Beach, Florida. Born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, he graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School and the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 1953, Terry married Frances Weimer Thompson and had four children he loved dearly. Frances passed away in 1997. Terry married Nancy Underwood in 1998, and became an adored step father to her three children.
In 1954, Terry was commissioned in the US Army, served 19 months in Korea and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. After his army service, he went to work for Alex Schoenbaum, founder of Shoney's restaurants. Terry served as Executive Vice President of Shoney's South Inc. and Vice President of Real Estate and Development for Shoney's South, Inc.
A man of deep faith, Terry's dream of changing his career at 50 years old came true when he retired from Shoney's and began working for the Presbyterian Church Foundation. When the Southern Presbyterian Church voted to merge with the Northern Presbyterian Church in 1983, Terry became President of the combined Presbyterian Church Foundation, one of his greatest honors and callings. After retiring from this position in 1989, he continued with the church in a volunteer capacity, serving as Chairman of the Presbyterian Church Board Foundation. He was a deacon and elder at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. He was also a member of the Community Church in Vero Beach, Florida.
Another dream was fulfilled when the Wee Kirk Church in Linville, NC, was again open and having services, after sitting empty for 36 years. Terry and Frances assisted with the reopening of this beloved place of worship.
Terry loved Linville, Charlotte and Vero Beach, and believed in giving back to those communities. Involvements in Charlotte included: Kate B. Reynolds Health Care Trust, Queens University Board, Davidson College Board of Visitors, Warren Wilson College Advisory Board, Planned Parenthood Board, United Way, InReach's Few Good Men and the Board of Union Theological Seminary. In Vero Beach, he served on the Riverside Theatre Board, the ARC and the John's Island Club Board, being President in 1995-1997. In Linville, he was active with the Wee Kirk Church.
A man of high energy and zest for life, Terry was a passionate golfer, bridge and tennis player. He enjoyed these activities at Charlotte Country Club, Linville Golf Club, John's Island Club and Quail Valley Golf Club. Other passions included piloting his own plane, riding his custom tricycle around the John's Island campus, and boating. His boat, The Bucket List, presented many adventures and mishaps – the mishaps were rarely shared with his wife. As he was fond of saying, "there are those captains who have run aground and those captains who shall run aground."
Terry is survived by his children and step children: Nancy Young Wechsler (Gregg), David Young, Susan Young Cunningham and Steven Young (Lori); Kyle Underwood Shive (Andrew), David Underwood and N. Kathryn Underwood. Grandchildren are Katie and Kyle Young, Amanda and Jacob Young, Austin and Thompson Cunningham, Ashley Wechsler; David and Abbie Walker, Harrison and John David Melton. Terry was predeceased by his parents, wife Frances and granddaughter Jennifer Young.
Memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund in honor of W. Terry Young at Union Presbyterian Seminary; 3401 Brook Rd; Richmond, Virginia 23227.
A service will be held later in the summer of 2021 in Charlotte, NC.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.