Bill Currie

HIGH POINT - Bill Currie was born in High Point on Dec. 6, 1925, and died Feb. 11, 2008, in Yelm, Wash. Bill lived a long, colorful life and was well known across the country as "The Mouth of The South," from a career in journalism, television and radio that spanned 50 years. Currie began his career as a reporter for The High Point Enterprise, worked at The Salisbury Post and covered many courtroom dramas in his early years. He worked as a sportscaster at WRAL Radio in Raleigh, WSOC-TV in Charlotte and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pa., during his broadcasting career. Currie, who preceded Woody Durham as the voice of the Tar Heels from 1961-1971, developed a what-will-he-say-next style. With a voice that dripped corn pone, he mixed Scripture with Shakespeare in sports commentaries that were folksy, rambling, irreverent and laced with colorful and off-color remarks, all at the same time. He made sports interesting for people who didn't usually follow sports. He was a nut. He was crazy. He was outrageous. UNC Coach Dean Smith was a good friend and encouraged Bill throughout his life. Bill called sports "the toy department of life," but never took it as seriously as many of his fans because he knew it was just one part of the big picture in the human experience. To those who loved his idiosyncrasies, he was Sweet Ol' Bill. To those who despised him in the way fans loathed Howard Cosell, he was simply known by the initials, S.O.B. He had a Technicolor personality and rather enjoyed getting a rise out of people, which helps explain why his office was once adorned with a poster-size photo of himself lying in a coffin. One North Carolina columnist dubbed him "The Reverend" because "he could preach you a rousing sermon, or sing you a hymn with an angelic look on his face, a tremor in his voice and a drink in his hand." He was named N.C. Sportscaster of the Year eight times and his unique style was featured in Sports Illustrated twice as a model broadcaster deserving national recognition. He left North Carolina for Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1971 to be a sportscaster on the KDKA-TV Evening News, where he worked until the mid-1980s. During his tenure at KDKA-TV, Bill's outstanding career reached the pinnacle of success with his work covering two Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl championship seasons in 1975/76 and the Pittsburgh Pirates Worlds Series championship seasons in 1971/79. While in Pittsburgh, he also co-hosted "The Better Half," a variety talk show program with Marie Torre who was one of America's first female news anchors during her 15 years with KDKA. After leaving KDKA in the mid-80's, Bill owned and operated an accredited broadcasting school, worked as a motivational speaker and wrote several novels. He was a musician and loved to play the piano, guitar and organ by ear, continuing to play even in his declining years. Bill was an ordained minister and through the years preached many times in churches across the country. He served as pastor of Bellevue Full Gospel Church in Pittsburgh for 10 years and faithfully served the congregation who had been there for a lifetime. Bill loved the Lord and in his later years, devoted his life to studying the Bible, allowing God's grace to profoundly transform him, as he grew closer to Christ. His belief in eternal life took the sting out of death and he did not fear the transition as it grew near after several years of declining health. Bill loved his family and they grew close over the years. His wife, Joy, was a great partner and his equal intellectually. They were married for 16 years and remained friends after their divorce. He and Joy were open minded, free thinkers who raised three children to greatness. He was very proud of his two daughters, Susan Currie Smith of Hickory and Margaret Currie Granger of Yelm, Wash., for their life achievements as spiritual change agents for good in their careers. He had the greatest respect for his adopted stepson Bob Currie of Wimberley, Texas, who went on to an Emmy-winning career in journalism. Their success and ability to overcome obstacles meant more to him than all of his own accomplishments. Malette Poole was like a son and brother to him and their lifelong friendship endured across time and distance. Bill, aka "Big Bill," was preceded in death by Bill Haseben, aka "Little Bill," who also was like a son and brother to him. His beloved caregivers Mercedes, Maggie and Annie made his final years pleasant in his own home. He had four grandchildren, Rachael and James Smith of Hickory, Jesse Currie of Memphis, Tenn., and Elizabeth Kelly of Shreveport, La. Bill loved and cherished many other people in his life, too numerous to name, but they know who they are. Bill Currie dared to be different. We will remember him as a man who continued to learn and grow until his last day. He donated his body to science at the University of Washington and the family is planning a memorial service to celebrate his life in March. In lieu of flowers, you may send memorials in his honor to Save The Children and St. Judes Hospital For Children. For more information, call Margaret Granger at (360) 458-4274.