Dr. William G. Squires

Dr. William G. Squires
Dr. Squires, 86, passed away on May 15, 2006, at Presbyterian Hospice. He was born on September 23, 1919, to the late William Thomas and Katie Squires. A native of Dillon, South Carolina, he moved his family to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1955 and opened a small home improvement company.
Dr. Squires' skills and talent in real estate and commercial property development made him an excellent example of the capable energetic, risk-taking generation of young leaders who dominated the American business landscape during the post-war decades, and his strong work ethic created a prosperous, enduring business.
His business evolved into Squires Construction Company, a development and construction company for commercial properties. A subsidiary, Squires Realty, acquires, develops and leases many commercial properties in and around Charlotte. His talent and commitment produced a better life for himself, his family and many others who have been the recipient of his generosity over the years. Throughout his remarkable lifetime, he has been a model of faithfulness in Christian discipleship.
He was a founding member of the Central Church of God in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he taught the Adult Bible Sunday School Class for more than 20 years. He has received numerous honors from the International Church of God, having served on the President's Council of Lee College for approximately 20 years, a member of the Lee College Board of Directors during the 1960s and 1980s. The Squires Library on the Lee University Campus is named in his and his late wife's honor. In 2004, The William Squires Recital Hall was named in his honor. He was the recipient of two honorary doctorates, one from East Coast Bible College in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. In 1998, Dr. Squires was inducted into the Hall of Christian Excellence by the International Lay Ministries of the International Church of God.
Dr. Squires was active in the Charlotte Kiwanis Club. Coupled with his heart's desire to help young churches get a foothold and spread the cause of Christ, his company was involved in the construction of more than 25 churches in the Charlotte, Mecklenburg County region.
Dr. Squires was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ruby Whittington Squires, a brother, Joseph M. Squires, a sister, Doris Gibson, two daughters, Cynthia S. Empey and Doris S. Kudo and a granddaughter, Darlene Earney.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, two sons, J. Ralph Squires and William G. Squires, Jr., two daughters, Carolyn S. Earney and her husband, Arlen, Elizabeth S. Young and her husband, Conrad, stepdaughter, Anita H. Ray and her husband, Gary, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
A service to celebrate the life of William G. Squires, Sr. will be held Thursday, May 18, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Church of God, 5301 Sardis Road in Charlotte with the pastor, Dr. Loran Livingston, officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Central Church of God. A graveside service will follow at the site of interment, Sunset Memory Gardens on Lawyers Road, Mint Hill.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choice, or to the Bill Squires Charitable Endowment Fund, c/o the Foundation For The Carolinas, P.O. Box 24769, Charlotte, North Carolina 28234-4769. The Squires Endowment funds a variety of local and national charities and educational institutions.
Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina, online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com.