William Frank James, Sr

William Frank 'Bill' James, Sr went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as a result of old age.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. During his life, Bill enjoyed numerous complex hobbies. He rebuilt antique cars including a 1941 Buick Coupe and a 1969 Cadillac Convertible. He was also a talented woodworker, building cherry corner cabinets, tables and a 17th century reproduction secretary for his children.

Bill was born on Christmas Eve in 1929 in Louisville, Kentucky - the oldest child of William 'Henry' James (1907-1975) and Ora Mae Blanton James (1909-1999), both originally from Brownsville, Kentucky. His father was a laborer, carpenter and a member of the machinists union, his mother a housewife. Growing up during the depression in Louisville, Bill was an inquisitive child with an aptitude for math and sciences. As he grew older, he developed a passion for engineering.

He graduated from DuPont Manual High School in the class of 1947 1/2 and drove a milk truck to raise money for college. In 1949 he enrolled at Georgia Tech University but returned home to care for his father due to health issues. In 1950 he then enrolled at University of Kentucky and received his Bachelor's Degree in Commerce in 1954. Serendipitously, Bill and his future wife, Jane Carol Mainous, graduated on the same day from UK, although they did not yet know each other.

Bill and Jane married on December 30, 1955, at First Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. They lived in a home that Bill and his father built together. In 1958, Bill and Jane moved to Lexington, Kentucky where he was the President of the Carmichael Carpet Company and President of the newly formed Thoroughbred Kiwanis Club.

In 1963, Bill and Jane move to Charlotte, North Carolina for Bill's job with the Mize Conveyor Company where he performed the engineering work that he always loved. In 1967, he took an executive position with Logan Conveyor in Morristown, New Jersey. He became the Northeast regional manager developing and designing projects such as the baggage conveyor systems at Newark International Airport and at Apex Corp.

Bill and Jane moved to Plantation, Florida in 1971 where Bill worked for Florida Power and Light, MARTA (Miami Area Rapid Transit), Florida Dept of Transportation and Bertram Yachts. In 1992, upon retirement, they moved back to Charlotte, North Carolina to be with their four oldest grandchildren. While living in Charlotte, Bill was heavily involved in his son's political campaigns for Mecklenburg County Commission.

Throughout Bill's life, he enjoyed numerous hobbies and was a talented craftsman.

During his time in Florida, he designed, built and sold shell lamps. He made these lamps from shells he and Jane would pick up on the beaches in Florida-their favorite location to collect shells was Sanibel Island.

Bill's maternal grandparents were Wilson Olphilus Blanton (1889-1981) and his wife, Laura Alice Sego (1892-1967). His paternal grandparents were Frank James (1882-1956) and his wife, Effie Hazelip (1887-1972). All were from Brownsville, Edmonson County, Kentucky.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jane, in 2023, two of his three sisters (Corrine James Beckwith and Wanda James Hooton), and his youngest son, Daniel Mainous James, in 2017.

Bill is survived by his oldest son, former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James (Julia Wyatt James) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and his five grandchildren: Dr. Lt. Commander William F. James, III, USN (Lt. Colonel Katherine Lisi James, USMC) of Mclean, Virginia; Morgan Blair (James) Hlinka of Arlington, Virginia (Matthew Hlinka) of Arlington, Virginia; Sarah Mainous James (Aly Sherif) of Corsham, England; Rebekah Cornett James of Raleigh, NC and Danielle Morgan James of Plantation, Florida. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Laura Margaret James, William F. 'Liam' James, IV, Elizabeth Rose James and Bill's daughter-in-law, Kim James of Plantation, Florida.

He is also survived by his younger sister Marjorie Lynn (James) Bassler (Ronald Bassler), brother-in-law, Arch G. Mainous Jr (Rosalie R. Mainous) and by nieces and nephews: W.S. (Beck) Beckwith, III; Susan (Beckwith) Martin; Laurie (Beckwith) French; Amy (Hooton) Anderson, John Hooton, Jr., Ann Mainous Whiteside, Rosalie O. Mainous, Arch G. Mainous, III, Joseph E. Mainous Jr and Tyler R. Mainous.

At his request there will be no service and the funeral will be private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Cameron's House of Hope, P.O. Box 607 in Indian Trail, NC 28079. Cameron's House of Hope provides sanctuary for children affected by parental substance abuse. See https://www.cameronshouseofhope.org