Obituary for William Rudy "Bill" Minnich Jr.
William R. Minnich Jr. slipped gently into the loving arms of God on Saturday, January 19, 2019 after a brief illness. His wife of 46 years, Sherry, and his dog, Blue, were both by his side.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Bill was an extraordinary man with many interests in his life. His career in banking in Atlanta offered him a chance to travel the U.S. and lead a team of extraordinary men and women who found him more a mentor than a manager. He retired to Lake Toxaway in 1995. He enjoyed snow and water skiing, hiking and was an avid salt and fresh water fisherman. He was especially fond of fly fishing on the Davidson River with his Lake Toxaway friends and off the coast of Georgia with Atlanta buddies he’d known since third grade. The requirement of his golf foursome was that each member must limp or use a cane, and no one kept score. While he played football in high school in Atlanta, his time at college in Athens, Georgia was spent cheering on his beloved University of Georgia football team. Go Dawgs!
Bill was a compassionate, selfless man who believed in “giving back”. He volunteered on mission trips to Haiti and worked closely with the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club in Brevard, and many Lake Toxaway Charities non-profits. His time spent as a CarePartners of Transylvania Hospice respite caregiver in Brevard was one of his most rewarding endeavors. Bill recently created the Historic Toxaway Foundation with area businesses to promote the beauty and history of western Transylvania County. He also was involved in charitable work in McIntosh County, Georgia, where he and his wife have a cottage. Bill always said he had salt water in his blood and enjoyed his time on the Georgia coast whether in his boat, hosting oyster roasts or wandering around the local shrimp docks.
Bill never met a stranger and was loved and respected by those he knew well and those he’d just met. He always had a smile and a kind word. He and Sherry travelled the world and gathered friends wherever they went. They remain in touch with a lady they encountered in 1973 in Hong Kong and have hosted folks they met in Russia, Brazil and Siberia at their home in Lake Toxaway. Being part of his own community at home was especially important to Bill, and he and Sherry often attended area baby showers, weddings and the annual Ayers Family Christmas party as ‘adopted family members’. Friends from all walks of life have always been an integral part of his life.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sherry Gordon Minnich, his sister, Gail Minnich Watson (David), many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, his dog, Blue, and a myriad of friends across the country and the world.
He was a member of the Lake Toxaway United Methodist Church and valued his close relationships with Ruth Cech, the organist, and Rev. Marcus Dodson, its minister. His Celebration of Life service will be held there on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Outreach Fund, Lake Toxaway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 83, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 or CarePartners of Transylvania County, 1266 Asheville Highway, Suite 5, Brevard, NC 28712.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory, 181 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Bill was an extraordinary man with many interests in his life. His career in banking in Atlanta offered him a chance to travel the U.S. and lead a team of extraordinary men and women who found him more a mentor than a manager. He retired to Lake Toxaway in 1995. He enjoyed snow and water skiing, hiking and was an avid salt and fresh water fisherman. He was especially fond of fly fishing on the Davidson River with his Lake Toxaway friends and off the coast of Georgia with Atlanta buddies he’d known since third grade. The requirement of his golf foursome was that each member must limp or use a cane, and no one kept score. While he played football in high school in Atlanta, his time at college in Athens, Georgia was spent cheering on his beloved University of Georgia football team. Go Dawgs!
Bill was a compassionate, selfless man who believed in “giving back”. He volunteered on mission trips to Haiti and worked closely with the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club in Brevard, and many Lake Toxaway Charities non-profits. His time spent as a CarePartners of Transylvania Hospice respite caregiver in Brevard was one of his most rewarding endeavors. Bill recently created the Historic Toxaway Foundation with area businesses to promote the beauty and history of western Transylvania County. He also was involved in charitable work in McIntosh County, Georgia, where he and his wife have a cottage. Bill always said he had salt water in his blood and enjoyed his time on the Georgia coast whether in his boat, hosting oyster roasts or wandering around the local shrimp docks.
Bill never met a stranger and was loved and respected by those he knew well and those he’d just met. He always had a smile and a kind word. He and Sherry travelled the world and gathered friends wherever they went. They remain in touch with a lady they encountered in 1973 in Hong Kong and have hosted folks they met in Russia, Brazil and Siberia at their home in Lake Toxaway. Being part of his own community at home was especially important to Bill, and he and Sherry often attended area baby showers, weddings and the annual Ayers Family Christmas party as ‘adopted family members’. Friends from all walks of life have always been an integral part of his life.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sherry Gordon Minnich, his sister, Gail Minnich Watson (David), many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, his dog, Blue, and a myriad of friends across the country and the world.
He was a member of the Lake Toxaway United Methodist Church and valued his close relationships with Ruth Cech, the organist, and Rev. Marcus Dodson, its minister. His Celebration of Life service will be held there on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Outreach Fund, Lake Toxaway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 83, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 or CarePartners of Transylvania County, 1266 Asheville Highway, Suite 5, Brevard, NC 28712.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory, 181 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712.