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William Britt Obituary

Dr. William Morris Britt CHARLOTTE - Dr. William Morris Britt, Professor Emeritus, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Presbyterian Hospital Main in Charlotte following six months of declining health after an automobile accident in January. Bill was born August 10, 1932, to Clem Gladstone Britt and Nora Parker Britt in Robeson County, NC and was graduated from Rowland High School. He attended Catawba College, and Presbyterian Junior College before joining the Army during the Korean War. From Fort Jackson he served in Alaska, also playing basketball for the All-Alaska Basketball Command. He enrolled for his final two years at Western Carolina University where he earned a B.S. in History and Education with Honors, met and married his wife of 54 years, Julia Moody Britt, and began his teaching career in Charlotte. From 1960-1964 he and Julia taught with the Army's Dependent Schools in France and Germany. He had already completed a M.Ed. at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and upon returning to the States earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. In 1972, the family moved to Charlotte where Dr. Britt served as Vice Chancellor for Development at UNCC for fourteen years and then as Senior Professor of Education and Supervision until he retired in 2001. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Elizabeth and cousins Horace and Yates Britt, who grew up with his family. He is survived by his wife, who was at his side throughout his illness, his devoted daughter, Bronwyn Britt Springer and her husband Adam of Newfoundland, NJ, his son William James Britt and granddaughter, Helen Ayshling Britt of Stuttgart, Germany, and his son Jeffrey Morris Britt of Charlotte and grandson, Jeffrey Morris Britt, Jr. of Mars Hill. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Sarah Britt Scott of Lumberton; along with his immediate family, cousins, loyal friends, students and colleagues, all have been most important in his life. The family wishes to thank Dr. Selwyn Spangenthal, Christine Schmidlin, and all of the staff at Charlotte Lung and Health Center for years of devoted care, Dr. Scott Mc-Lanahan and his associates at Charlotte Neurosurgery and Spine for exceptional attention and care during and following his brain surgery; heart specialist, Dr. Kevin Hsu, Dr. J. George Thomas of Mercy Rehab, the entire staff of Asbury Care Center, residents and staff at Sunrise Assisted Living and all of the remarkable people at Presbyterian Hospital Main who have provided exceptional care during three hospitalizations there. We are grateful to each and every one of you. Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc. of Lumberton is serving the family of Dr. Britt who will receive friends at the mortuary on Friday evening from 7:00-8:30 PM. A memorial service will be held at Rowland Methodist Church on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Following the service the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will be private. Memorials may be made to the charity or organization of the donor's choice and will be gratefully acknowledged by the family. On-line condolences may be made by visiting: www.floydmortuary.net.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Jul. 21, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
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Charles Jurgensen

July 27, 2012

So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He and I spent many an afternoon playing tennis at Charlotte Swim & Racket.I'll miss his sense of humor

J. Allen Queen

July 25, 2012

I am deeply saddened to learn about Bill. When I was teaching in his department I could always chat or joke with Bill about the demands of being a new professor in the department. When I moved to another department as chair, Bill and I continued our short discussions, always ending with a good laugh. I consider Bill a good friend and colleague. Please accept my deepest sympathy for his family. J. Allen Queen

Vivian Fogle

July 24, 2012

I'm very sorry to learn of Dr. Britt's death. He was a delightful Southern gentleman with all the best qualities that term suggests. I enjoyed working for him at UNC Charlotte while he served as vice chancellor for development and though I very seldom saw him during the years that followed, I have thought of him often.

Hal and Vicki Jaus

July 24, 2012

We are sorry to learn that our friend and colleague Bill has passed away. Bill and Julia were helpful guides in introducing us to UNCC and Charlotte. Our thoughts are with her and the family. Hal and Vicki Jaus

July 23, 2012

Bill Britt was interim chair when I came to UNCC for my interview. He was so gracious and welcoming. I was hired and stayed 24 years, retiring last year. Thanks, Bill.

Mary Lynne Calhoun

July 23, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathy. I'm glad I had the chance to work with Bill as a colleague in the College of Education at UNC Charlotte. I remember with gratitude his leadership in the early days of the Teaching Fellows program and his service as Interim Chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. My husband Lawrence remembers great noontime faculty basketball games. We will miss Bill. Sincerely, Mary Lynne Calhoun (Dean)

July 23, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.I really enjoyed him the few weeks I knew him. Gail Martin @ Sunrise

Cornie and John Pleasants

July 21, 2012

John and I are deeply sorry for your loss. Bill will always be remembered for his enthusiasm for life, his friendliness and his leadership in all things UNCC. Please know that we did not see the obit until Saturday after the funeral. We would have been there with you at Rowland Methodist remembering growing up there and celebrating the good life of your Robeson County fellow!
May God's promise of Comfort and Hope of Heaven bless you during this time. We send our love, John and Cornie Pleasants

Sharon Pearson

July 21, 2012

Dr. Britt was a great man and we enjoyed many, many years of working together on the UNCC Campus. Loved his bright smile, sense of humor, and always a delight to talk with! This is a great loss.

Mary Young

July 20, 2012

To the family, Bill was a great man. I loved and respected him for over the 30 years that I have known him and I will miss him but I have wonderful memories of a man so dear to so many!

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