William Oliver

William (Bill) T. Oliver, Sr Bill Oliver, 90, passed away on Sunday January 29, 2017  in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bill was born on September 18th 1926 in Greensboro, NC to the late Samuel T. Oliver, Sr. and Fannie Ruth Hamm Oliver.  He was a graduate of Curry High School in Greensboro, the Naval Engineering School in Gulfport Mississippi, and Guilford College in Greensboro.  Bill enlisted into the US Navy after high school and served on the mine sweeper USS Competent in the south Pacific and Philippines during the latter part of WWII.  Shortly after returning from the war, Bill enrolled in Guilford College under the GI Bill, where he earned an AB Degree with honors.  He then began a career with Carolina Steel Corporation in Greensboro, starting in the drafting department and ending as a senior buyer.  His career spanned 35 years and he made many close and lifelong friendships at Carolina Steel.  After retiring from Carolina Steel, Bill also worked part time as a sales consultant for IKG Industries for another five years, where he also gained new friends for life. Bill was a member of West Market Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church for a total of over 65 years and volunteered his services in numerous ways at these churches.  Bill met the love of his life, Mae Davis, at West Market Street Methodist Church while on a young adult group trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. It did not take long for their relationship to blossom, and they were married on December 18th 1953 at West Market Methodist Church.  Later they would transfer their membership to Christ United Methodist Church. Bill and Mae were blessed with two children, Joyce Ann Oliver and William T. (Tom) Oliver Jr. In addition to providing for his family, Bill served the Gate City Kiwanis Club, the Royal Order of the Elks and the Boys Scouts of America.  He also enjoyed numerous hobbies including woodworking, pottery, painting, gardening, reading, and later in life became quite a good golfer. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Mae D. Oliver, in January of 2009. He is survived by his children, Joyce O. Vollmer and her husband Scott of Raleigh; Tom Oliver and his wife Lauri of Raleigh; his granddaughter Laura Deery and her husband Daniel of Greer SC and their children (Bill’s great grandchildren) Adelaide Mae and Emma Rose (with number 3 on the way); his grandson Matt Vollmer of Raleigh; his grandson Kurt V. Byrd and his wife Rachel of Clayton NC.  Bill also has many extended family members from both his and his wife’s’ family whose relationship has meant so much to him, he will be forever grateful for their love and affection.  And, during the latter part of their lives, Bill and Mae both were blessed with many new and meaningful friendships with their neighbors in Greensboro, who contributed greatly to Bill and Mae’s enjoyment of life, carrying them through some very difficult times with their health.  Bill and Mae were always outspoken about how lucky they were to have such wonderful and loving neighbors and constantly shared their appreciation and admiration of these young people. Bill will be remembered by his family and friends for his generous spirit, his strong faith and love, and his ever-ready eagerness to tell a good joke. His funeral and burial will be held at New Hope Methodist Church in Blanch, NC on Saturday February 4th, at 1pm. An additional service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC on Friday February 3rd, at 2:00 pm. Arrangements are with Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street.