William Morris Laughridge

Bill was born and raised in Marion, NC, to his mother, Mary Gwendolyn Shiflet Laughridge, and father, Morris Smith “Jim” Laughridge. He cherished memories of his childhood and often spoke about how fortunate he was to grow up in a safe and caring community that highly valued looking after one another.

Bill was the oldest of three brothers, a role he embraced with love and devotion for over seven decades. He cherished his younger brothers, Jimmie and Andy, and took great pride in looking after them throughout their lives. Whether it was offering guidance, sharing laughter, or simply being a steady presence, Bill was the epitome of the best big brother.

Bill was selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School for gifted students in high school. He excelled in mathematics and spent a week with his academic peers at Western Carolina University as a teenager. After graduating from Marion High School in 1965, Bill attended NC State University, where he earned his degree in Textile Management in 1969. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity during his time at NC State and excelled in the classroom and intramural sports. He remained an avid supporter of Wolfpack athletics, and shared his passion with family, friends and anyone who expressed an interest in collegiate sports.

Bill was one of the most knowledgeable sports fans you could find. He traveled with his family and friends to attend the NCAA Final Four, Major League Baseball All Star games, numerous college football bowl games and major golf tournaments. One of his fondest childhood memories was attending the 1960 Masters Tournament with his father, where they watched his hero, Arnold Palmer, win the green jacket.

A few years after graduating from NC State, Bill was recruited by Mount Vernon Mills and arrived in Greenville, SC. Bill worked for Mount Vernon for over 40 years, primarily in sales, until he retired in 2014.

In the early days after his move to Greenville, Bill met his future wife Trudie Davis. Bill and Trudie were married in 1972 and spent the next 52 years together. Bill was a devoted husband and exemplified the meaning of a family man his entire life.

Bill was the proud father of two children, Mary Elizabeth and William Christopher Laughridge. He taught his children the value of hard work, selflessness, and perseverance, shaping them with lessons they will carry forever. Bill was one of the most active fathers when it came to coaching and mentoring his children at a young age. Bill became close friends with the fathers of Mary Beth and Chris’ teammates and his fellow coaches that lasted well beyond his kids’ playing years. He rarely missed a game from the early years at the YMCA all the way through high school sports and American Legion baseball, and he made it a priority to be there to pick up his kids after every practice. Bill extended the same love and affection he had for his children to Chris’ wife Channing, and the bond they formed was easy for all to see.

Bill was an exceptional grandfather to Luke William Laughridge. He quickly adopted and enjoyed the nickname “Gramps” after Luke was born in January 2013. In his later years, Bill’s favorite activities were watching Luke compete in basketball, flag football, golf and soccer. We know he will be watching over his family for the rest of our lives.

Bill’s values were rooted in his Christian beliefs. His parents, Jim and Mary, made sure he had the knowledge at an early age that God would always be in his life. He came to know Jesus and shared his love of the gospel with everyone. Bill served as a deacon in his church much like his father did decades before in Marion. He was also able to see his son serve as a deacon in the church years later.

Bill is survived by his wife, Trudie; children, Mary Beth and Chris (Channing); grandson Luke; and brothers Jimmie (Debby) and Andy (Debbie). He will be missed dearly until we all reunite with him in heaven.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 29, at 1:00 PM at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn, 1 Pine Knoll Drive Greenville, SC 29609, followed by a reception. Bill will be laid to rest privately in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that gifts and donations be made in Bill’s memory to the Eastside Family YMCA of Greenville.