William Ling

William ("Bill") Ling passed away peacefully on February 11, 2022, at Jacob's Ladder Care (hospice) in Springfield, MO. He was there during his last days after one month of battling cancer. His confidant and proverbial son, Sean Herring, was by Bill's side until he transitioned to peace. Now, Bill can spiritually enjoy the beaches that he loved in California, Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina.

William Ling was born November 8, 1932, in Dayton, KY, to Frank and Delores Ling. He grew up in Roanoke, VA with his younger brother, Charles Ling, who lives in Raleigh, NC.

For those who knew Bill personally, he will be remembered for his sharp wit, endearingly mischievous smile, and his personifying a life philosophy to "pay it forward." He generously shared his insights, his wisdom, and his compassion with an entire cohort of young people he spiritually "adopted" and mentored. As one of his apprentices noted: "Bill was the Obi-Wan Kenobi to many. He was modest about his own accomplishments but beamed with pride and joy at ours."

William was a graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, located in Lexington, VA, where he excelled as a Fulbright Scholar and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He had an impressive career in public service as well as served for several years in the US Army as a unit captain during the Korean War.

William met US Presidents including JFK and LBJ. William also was an administrative assistant in the US House of Representatives as well as an administrative assistant to a US Congressman. In those roles, William worked on special committee projects and domestic poverty programs like Head Start and Upward Bound. His determined advocacy for social justice included being executive officer of the United States Community Actions Program in DC. Moreover, William was a White House staffer during the exciting times of the Civil Rights movement and the formation of the Civil Rights Bill.

Bill Ling was a sophisticated cosmopolitan and a type of "007 agent" in his own right. He spoke several languages, with his favorite being Russian. He lived for a time in Munich, Germany; traveled to several domestic and foreign regions; and lived in New York City for over 35 years.

In New York, William was licensed as an attorney and held executive-level positions. Those positions included executive officer of the NYC family courts, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), and deputy administrator of NY's Model Cities Administration. In academia, Bill was on the law school faculty at Columbia University, a dean at Antioch School of Law, and an assistant dean of Urban Affairs at CUNY.

William "Bill" Ling was a Renaissance man, curious, smart, honest, and, above all, giving of himself–even in his passion of raising dachshunds for over 40 years. The two holding down the fort now are Gingin and Cocoa.

Bill will never be forgotten for his big heart, brilliant mind, and wicked sense of humor–especially by those of us who were lucky enough to have been with him as a family member, friend, and apprentice.

Some of William's family members not mentioned previously include Cristi Winchell, niece, Dallas, TX; Greg Ling, nephew, Burlington, NC; Sarah Ling, great-niece, Burlington, NC; Mark Ling, great-nephew, Burlington, NC; and Jeremy William Herring, grandson, Springfield, MO.

This spring (during Bill's favorite season), his ashes will be brought to a mausoleum at Raleigh Memorial Park in North Carolina. Greenlawn Funeral Home (East) of Springfield, MO, will, in part, be handling those arrangements.