William Lester Etheridge

August 8, 1941 - November 9, 2010
William Lester Etheridge


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William Etheridge, age 69, of Wilmington passed away at home on Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 8, 1941, the son of Edna and Lester Etheridge.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jeanne, daughter Kathleen and husband John Moyer and granddaughter Paige, sister-in-law Yvonne Bailey from Raleigh and brother-in-law Peter Bailey and wife Elaine and their children Susan, Dan, and Alan from Illinois.

He was a mathematics professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington since 1979, retiring in 2003. He received his master’s at the University of Illinois, taught for 4 years at North Dakota State University, and then completed his PhD at Purdue University before coming to Wilmington.

Bill and his wife were married for 46 years, and he will be greatly missed. They enjoyed yearly vacations to Blowing Rock, NC and also liked to attend concerts together. Bill loved to read and listen to music and he enjoyed spending time with his dog, Buddy.

A memorial service will be held at Winter Park Presbyterian Church Monday, November 15, 2010 at 11 AM. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Memorials may be given to Winter Park Presbyterian Church or to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

Please share memories and condolences by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service, 1535 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • November 10, 2010
    Linda and Ken Gurganus says:
    Jean, I am so glad Bill was able to stay home during these last weeks with you and Buddy. He had the best care possible, in the best location possible. Ken has fond memories of working with Bill, talking about their mutual interests, and sharing books that they both enjoyed reading. Such friendships enrich our lives. May the Lord give you strength as you begin a new chapter in your life. Though difficult, you have memories of all you shared together, and that is something many do not have.

  • November 11, 2010
    Ken Spackman says:
    Jeanne, I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Bill was a colleague and friend for more than twenty years in the UNCW mathematics department. We miss him both professionally and personally.

  • November 11, 2010
    Lisa McConnell says:
    Dr. Etheridge was a fabulous professor and my heart goes out to his friends and family. I was his student for two courses in the early 1980's, Numerical Algorithms and Programming Languages, and I will never forget him. I loved his classes - he cared that his students learned. Almost thirty years later now, I can still recall something he said to our Programming Languages class when several students were absent one day - he said people will complain if they are shorted on the number of french fries in a Happy Meal, yet they will pay good money for education and not care if they get it or not. Thank you for caring, Dr. Etheridge. I never, ever missed not even one of your classes - and what I learned from you has served me well. My prayers and thoughts to his family. Lisa McConnell (1985, UNCW, BS computer science)

  • November 14, 2010
    Jane Crump says:
    Jeanne, I shall always remember Bill's warm,sweet smile.He smiled his last smile to me on the Friday night of our visit.I am happy we were able to share the concert at ASU. As I continue to read Ann Perry I shall fondly think of Bill. You are in our prayers and regret that we live such a distance. Love to you and the family. Jane and (Dickie)Richard,Whitney

  • November 10, 2010
    cheryl McKeithan says:
    I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. Please know that you and Kathleen are in my thoughts and prayers:)