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BORN
1941
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
William Austin Obituary
Born in Marshville, N.C. on May 14, 1941, he was the son of William Heath Austin, Sr. and Mary Harrell Austin. After graduating from Benton Heights High School in Monroe, Bill started his career at the first McDonald's in Charlotte, located on Independence Boulevard as a manager trainee. Bill's career with McDonald's spanned more than 57 years, and he was still actively working when he passed. Bill worked his way up from an assistant manager to an owner/operator. He was employed by Triton Management McDonald's/Mike Haley, for 33 years where he became Senior Vice President of Operations. In September 1993, he was able to fulfill his dream of being an owner/operator, and maintained that privilege for 24 years. During his career, he won many outstanding store awards and was proud to have employees chosen to work the Olympics.
Bill's five wonderful granddaughters brought him much joy and entertainment; it was an adventure every day. He loved his family and was proud of all their accomplishments. He also enjoyed working in his train room, building landscapes and running train tracks for his large scale model trains. And he truly loved going to work. He loved God, family, McDonald's and his model trains.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn Tarlton Austin; a daughter, Melissa Smith and husband Doug of Lillington, N.C.; a son, William Todd Austin and wife Tammy of Monroe; five granddaughters, Emily, Jessica and Ashley Smith, and Jamie and Jordan Austin; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William; mother, Mary; and sisters, Peggy Crook and Maxine Funderburk.
Our family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the three Angels that God sent to us: Dr. David Scott Smith, Susan Crane RN, and Sheryl, the neighbor down the street that just happened to be a nurse. May they receive all the many blessings they have so generously given to others. Also, our sincere thanks to Shana Johnson and all the other Hospice individuals.
A service to celebrate Bill's life will be held Sunday, October 29th at 2 PM at Harry & Bryant's Chapel in the Oaks, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in his honor to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
Condolences may be offered at www.harryandbryantfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Austin
LJ MYERS
November 3, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
October 30, 2017
Carolyn and family,
So very sorry to hear of Bill,s passing. I moved to NC in 1974,
and Bill was one of the very first McDonald's people I ever had the pleasure of meeting. I wasn,t close with Bill, but always admired his passion for the business. He was one of the truly great members of the McDonald's family.
He will be sorely missed. My heartfelt best wishes go out to you and your family.
Flip Vineyard (Charleston,SC)
October 30, 2017
So sorry for your loss. May the God who supplies endurance and comfort sustain you in your time of need through prayer.
Rom. 12:12
October 30, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Jesus wept after the death of his friend Lazarus. John 11:35 We weep along with you. His example was written in the Bible to give us hope.
Rom. 15:4
October 29, 2017
So sorry to hear about Bill, He sure will be missed. i worked with Bill for years, he was a good man. I pray for all his family & friends may God be with you all. love Joan Brown Causey .
Patsy Wall
October 29, 2017
Sorry, for your lost it was my pleasure to have worked for Mr. Austin. He was truely a great man and took alot of pride in his work. He will be missed greatly.
K P
October 29, 2017
I worked for McDonald's in Salisbury when it opened in December 1974 until 1976 when I moved from Salisbury and remember Bill coming in for store visits. He was serious about his work, but I remember him being a very nice man. RIP
BOB KIMBRELL
October 28, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear about Bill. you all have always been very special to me.
I'm sorry because of health reasons I could not be with you. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I'm praying for you. Bob Kimbrell
Tonya Beemster
October 28, 2017
Mrs Austin so sorry to hear of mr austin's Passing . He was a great man and loved Mcdonalds . I enjoyed the time I was employeed under you all . My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family
Brittany
October 28, 2017
Rest in Paradise
Vickie H Marcone
October 27, 2017
To the family of Mr Austin, please accept my condolences. I met him in the mid 70s as a teen at my 1st real job at a new McDonalds in Charlotte. We always referred to him as "Burger Bill" (and no, we did NOT address him as that). :) He would make unannounced visits to check on the store. He always had a serious expression but conducted himself with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Through his leadership that store was a gem and we were proud to be a part of it.
Anthony Marez
October 27, 2017
Triton Electric Company would have never been if Bill and McDonalds had not happened. All of our success and our many years of business is due to this man. This only shows what a wonderful business man he was and such a generous person. I was so lucky to have known him and called him my friend. This world will miss him.
Anthony Marez
Triton Electric Co.
Gaile Pender Griffin
October 26, 2017
Carolyn so sorry to read of the passing of Bill.You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.love and prayers
Lee Tarlton
October 25, 2017
So sorry to hear my Uncle Bill passed.
Ron and Dorothy Alridge
October 25, 2017
Carolyn, Todd and other members of Bill's family, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the occasion of Bill's death. I remember Bill and the rest of you from our days together at the Winterfield basketball program. Bill was a loving father and an admiring supporter. I always thought highly of him and the rest of his family. I'm sure life won't be the same without Bill but take comfort in knowing that he had a happy and successful life with a family he adored.
Pamela T. Crook
October 25, 2017
So sad to hear this. Always loved my Uncle Bill.God Bless you all,Carolyn, Melissa and Todd and grandkids.
John Tombaugh
October 25, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. I worked with Bill for many years fixing his restaurant equipment when I lived in Charlotte. He was truly a man of integrity and great moral character. His attitude and work ethic was always exemplary towards me and others. It was a pleasure knowing Bill and he will be missed.
ELAINE SNYDER
October 25, 2017
It was such a honor to have known Bill. He was one of the nicest people that I knew of during my many years with the Triton Group and McDonalds Corp. I'm sure he had a part of the person I turned out to be with McDonalds. You will be missed and always remembered.
Elaine Snyder
Brenda Williams-Hall
October 24, 2017
Carolyn and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss of Bill. He will be truly missed, but like you, we have so many happy memories of his time with us. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Members of your Benton Heights Class of 1960
Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results
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Memorial Events
for William Austin
Oct
29
Visitation
CLOSED-McEwen Funeral Home & Cremation @ Myers Park500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Oct
29
Celebration of Life
2:00 p.m.
CLOSED-McEwen Funeral Home & Cremation @ Myers Park500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Funeral services provided by:
CLOSED-McEwen Funeral Home & Cremation @ Myers Park500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
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