Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

I was devastated to hear of Bill's passing. And shocked. Bill and I have not been in touch for a number of years, something i have regretted and regret even more now (the type of regret one never wishes to have, of things unsaid). As Bill once taught me, 'Wilbur (I hated that but he called me that anyway - I always took is as an endearment), "Wilbur, anytime you are in communication with someone, always make sure to close the loop. You never leave it open ended."

I was 22 years old, a fresh graduate of Davidson College with absolutely no idea what I was doing next before some likely grad school, and Bill gave me a job working for him as his personal assistant at Brookgreen Gardens. To this day, that was the most joyful and educational time in my 'working' life. To his very core, Bill was a natural teacher, a natural mentor, and one who desired to help others achieve in life, and he took great joy in helping in little and big ways. Bill had a special brilliance about him. I do not believe I met anyone that he couldn't stand toe to toe with in deep discussions of history, the great works of the humanities codified in the Harvard Classics, art, music, etiquette. He had an incredible understanding of people and an ability to connect in a visceral way with those with whom he engaged.

Bill was a snob - well, he was actually a bit more of a 'pretend' snob, because I never experienced a judgmental bone in him, so I call him that in jest, and I know he would laugh at that and likely proudly state himself as such nonetheless. But if Bill was a snob at all, it was not about people, and that is the wrong word. Bill had very high standards and expectations. It was more that Bill had a dedication to excellence, and he sought excellence in the things in life that he was passionate about (such as writing, literature, language, art, decor, and decorum), and he sought to bring out excellence in others where he could. He not only sought excellence, but he exhibited it in the art of making people feel special, of taking care of other's needs, and even in taking on the mantle of helping young men develop important life and business skills and lessons through the Wall Fellows program that he directed at Coastal Carolina.

When I worked for Bill, if we were not discussing our work obligations or if I were not getting corrected on the 'better way' I could have written such and such letter to such and such donor, he was talking about his children, whom he loved and who clearly inspired in him a great purpose in life, even with the ever-painful tragedy of the loss of young William heavy on his heart forever. Last, Bill was....fun. Being with him was a joy as he joked, picked on me or picked on himself, told stories of life past, present and of future dreams. Bill was family to me in many ways, but I can also truly say that I considered him one of my best friends in life, even in the years of disconnection. He endured a lot of tough things along his journey, but never failed to journey on with courage, interest, with goals and purpose-driven ideals. I learned so much from him as a very young man. I hope I have done at least a few things that measured up to his standards. I have missed him for a long time. And in his passing, my heart hurts but I will carry him there always.

For the family and all who loved him, I share my sincere condolences for your loss and grief.

Sincerely,
Will McKibbon (graduate of the 'Bill Woodson School,' class of 1997)