William Alexander Goodson Jr.

GOODSON WINSTON-SALEM William Alexander Goodson, Jr. (Bill) February 4, 1918 - July 8, 2012 William Alexander Goodson, Jr. (Bill) died peacefully on Sunday, July 8, 2012. He was born February 4, 1918 in Huntington, W.Va. His family moved that same year to Winston-Salem. Bill was the son of the late Georgia Hales and William Alexander Goodson, Sr. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Alice O'Kelley Goodson, his daughter Alice Jane Goodson and his sister Georgia Goodson Saunders. He is survived by his children: William Alexander Goodson, III and his wife Judy; Thomas O'Kelley Goodson and his wife Leesa, all of Winston-Salem; and Elizabeth Goodson Ward of Fuquay Varina. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kathryn Goodson Monroe and her husband Jeff; John William Goodson and his wife Lisa; Henry Goodson Ward and his wife Heather; William Thomas Goodson and his wife Allison; Andrew O'Kelley Ward and his wife Jessica; David Lybrook Goodson and his wife Kelsey; Kelly Allen Eddins and Jason Patrick Eddins. He is also survived by five great grandchildren: Joshua Goodson Monroe, Hannah Lee Monroe, Tyler William Goodson, Jack Ryan Goodson, and Grady Alexander Ward. In addition to his immediate family, Bill is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Gooddaddy, as his grandchildren called him, had a wonderful life. His quick wit, sense of humor and an ever present mischievous look were a joy to his family. He started his education in the Winston-Salem public schools and moved on to Woodberry Forest School. He finished his education at Duke University before entering the military. He served his country during WWII at Barksdale Air force Base in Shreveport, La with the military police as Master Sergeant. While in Shreveport, he met and married Alice, on July 8, 1944. After the war, Bill and Alice returned to Winston-Salem where Bill went into his father's tobacco business, Winston Leaf Tobacco and Storage Co (a division of Universal Corp.). He served the company as Chairman and President until his retirement. He also served as President of the Tobacco Association of the United States in 1975-76. Through his business, Bill was afforded many opportunities to travel, and he and Alice traveled around the world on more than one occasion. In later years, spending the winter in Sanibel Island, Fl became their annual trip. Bill had a very civic mind and served on many boards in our community including Junior Achievement, City-County Planning Board, Board of Trustees at the University of the South at Sewanee, and Board of Trustees at Pfeiffer University, achieving Emeritus status. He was a member of Forsyth Country Club, the Downtown Rotary and a past member of the Twin City Club. Bill was an active member of St Paul's Episcopal Church. He served several terms on the Vestry, twice as Junior Warden, and was proud to have been a boy scout at St Paul's where he also served as Scoutmaster of Troop 910. After moving to Arbor Acres in 1994, he became actively involved in Meals on Wheels, became President of the Men's club, President of the Resident's Council and was instrumental in starting and supporting the Employee's Christmas Fund. Bill's family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff of Arbor Acres and Tonya Alston of Piedmont Home Health for their devotion and compassionate care. The Visitation will be at the home of Tom and Leesa Goodson, 1010 Wellington Rd., on Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Thursday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; Arbor Acres, 1240 Arbor Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; The Winston-Salem Foundation, 860 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; Senior Services (Meals on Wheels) of Winston-Salem, NC; or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.