Class of 1952

Bill was a 1952 graduate of Apex High School and distinguished himself as a scholar and an athlete during his time at Apex. Playing in the era when Apex High School was known as the Yellow Jackets, Bill was a two-sport letterman in basketball and baseball. A natural athlete, Bill was named First Team All-Conference in basketball during his senior season.

After graduation, Bill attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he subsequently earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1956. But it was also at UNC that his athletic career took a turn, as Bill joined the indoor and outdoor track and field teams. Showing his athleticism and speed, he ran on the ACC champion mile relay team in both the indoor and outdoor conference meets.

After graduating from UNC-CH, Bill was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served his country aboard the USS Roanoke. During his stint in the Navy, Bill continued to impress with his versatility and athleticism, as he played on the 11th Naval District Champion basketball team in 1957. After 20 years of active and reserve service, Bill retired as a commander. He would have loved to have stayed in the Navy, but his family was counting on him to come home and run the family business: Apex Lumber Company.

Bill returned to Apex where he made his residence and left an indelible mark on both the town and the high school. Bill coached Little League baseball for a number of years and took the initiative in helping to get the first Jaycee Little League baseball field built in Apex. More importantly for Apex High School, Bill became the first president of the Apex High School Cougar Club and continued to be a strong presence in supporting all athletic programs at the high school. In addition, Bill served as the chairman of the first Apex Lions’ Relays, an annual high school track and field meet that has grown into one of the largest high school events in the state.