Charles William Cloninger, Jr., of Greensboro, N.C., died Friday, March 13, following his beloved wife of 61 years, Kate Bradshaw Cloninger, who preceded him in death by 16 days. Born on Nov 23, 1938 in Washington, D.C. to Charles William and Helen Boren Cloninger, Bill returned to Greensboro at young age where his family resided for generations. He graduated from Greensboro High School and earned the distinction of Quartermaster as a Sea Scout in 1957.
After graduating from The Citadel in 1961, he served 18 months of active duty in the US Army (a self-described extended vacation after 4 years of military school!), achieving the rank of first lieutenant. Bill later received a master’s degree in business from UNC-G and earned a degree from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in the 1970’s.
Following retirement as a vice president of First Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Bill became a Certified Public Accountant and taught accounting and business courses. Throughout his life, he served as an adjunct faculty member at High Point University, Shaw University, Winston-Salem State University, and Salem College. While banking served his career well, teaching was Bill’s vocation and higher calling. The volume of his personal library rivaled that of even the most avid readers, built over decades of seeking out and savoring high quality hardback books on military, political, and social history.
Bill served his community in many ways. As a former chairman of the Ship’s Committee for Sea Scouting of the Old North State Boy Scout Council, he remained involved with youth Sea Scout programs until his late 70s. Much to the chagrin of his family, he stored and rehabilitated the boats that were used in these programs in his driveway for many years.
Bill served as treasurer of the North Carolina Military Support Corp, the non-profit arm of the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve and was involved with Rotary International during his banking career. Although his family was never certain about the meaning of this distinction, Bill was a second-generation Kentucky Colonel.
As a consummate gentleman, devoted family diplomat, eternal optimist and all-around ham, his memory will be cherished by his daughters, Caroline Cloninger Carrington of Durham, N.C.; Katherine Cloninger of Raleigh, N.C.; and grandchildren, Chase and Camilla Carrington. He was predeceased by his sister, Amelia Boren Cloninger Stout. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews (“Uncle Bull”); as well as many great nieces and nephews.
A joint service was held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for Bill and Kate Cloninger on Saturday, March 14th. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.