Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 1, 2024

CHARLOTTE – William Wilson Goodson Jr. turned 72 on December 25, 2023 (sharing this special day with the great Humphrey Bogart as he would always proclaim).  He passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024, in Charlotte, NC.

Wilson was an avid science fiction lover, world history explorer, dedicated church goer, caring community member, and playful funcle (“fun-uncle”).  He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Library Science from Western Carolina University.  Wilson first used his impressive degrees as a Peace Corp volunteer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  He was most passionate about his job as a Librarian at Johnson C. Smith University.  Wilson always pursued traveling adventures and that didn’t stop in his retirement when he hopped in his RAV4 and annually toured Worldcon in Spokane, WA; Seattle, WA; Kansas City, MO; Helsinki, Finland; San Jose, CA; and Dublin, Ireland.

Wilson is survived by his sister, Jo Goodson and her husband, John Tiedeman; his nephew, AJ Tiedeman and his niece, Laura Tiedeman.

A celebration of life for Wilson will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in the chapel at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.  Please come as you are! Any attire, tears, and laughter are welcome.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  The service will be livestreamed via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84961405609?pwd=dEJmc1E0dUJNWWkrK2ZNNDZrK0J5QT09 for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Wilson to Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays, Inc., PO Box 680791, Charlotte, NC 28216 (https://loavesandfishes.org/home/) to continue his support of feeding those in need or the William Wilson “Pop” and Nancy Goodson Scholarship to support future educators. Memorials may be mailed to Division of Advancement, Western Carolina University, 1 University Drive, 201 H.F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 or via give.wcu.edu.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.