William Richard Arcilesi

William Richard Arcilesi, Sr. was born in St. Louis Missouri, October 10, 1934. Richard's father, Vincent Proia, came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1920. He settled in St. Louis where he ran an Italian grocery and met his wife, Lucia Burnett, a Baptist missionary. Richard's mother died in 1937 when he was three years old. For a brief time, Richard and his older brother Vincent went to live with their maternal grandparents, Maggie and William Tate Burnett. Beginning in 1938, the boys would live the next 10 years at Missouri Baptist Orphanage. It was in 1948 they would leave the orphanage to live with their Aunt Mable and Uncle Bruce Burnett of Greenwood, SC. Richard graduated Greenwood High School in 1951.

Richard attended Furman University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, played saxophone in the band and met the love of his life, Martha Sparks. Upon graduating Furman with a BS in Business Administration, Richard and Martha married on August 6, 1955 at the Central Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, NC. Shortly after their wedding, Richard was deployed to Korea and assigned to the 73rd Tank Battalion and was later transferred to the 7th Reconnaissance Company. While away in Korea, Richard received a telegram informing him he had become a father to son, Richard Jr., born in July of 1956.

A lifelong provider . . .

After serving his country, Richard Sr. returned to the United States and moved his wife and young son to Charlotte, NC, where he worked for General Motors. Soon after the birth of their daughter, Beth, the family relocated to Detroit, Michigan with General Motors in 1958. It was here that son Mark was born in 1964.

The family called Charlotte home and would return in 1961, where Richard then began his 35 year career with Mitchell Distributing Company, a thriving construction equipment business. Richard became an icon in the construction equipment business working with Ingersoll Rand and Komatsu. During this time, Richard also served on the Board of Directors for NationsBank, which later became Bank of America. Richard retired from Mitchell Distributing Company as President in 1996, and continued to serve on the board for several years.

Richard's retirement in 1996 was prompted by a desire to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren after lung cancer was discovered that had spread throughout his lymph nodes. Doctors gave him a startling prognosis of three months to live and only provided palliative radiation care.

A lifelong man of faith . . .

Richard became a miracle, beating the odds and surprising everyone when his cancer disappeared. Whenever asked how his day was, Richard would always reply, "Every day is a Good Day." Feeling blessed to see another day and giving his Lord and Savior the glory for extending his life, Richard would encourage others in their battles against cancer, volunteering with "CANCARE".

A lifelong family man . . .

Family was everything to Richard and Martha. They loved creating wonderful family adventures to be together. There would be annual summer vacations to Hilton Head Island, holidays spent in Pinehurst, Las Vegas adventures and Cruises to Bermuda, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

One of Richard's greatest joys was being able to see his four granddaughters grow up. He always referred to them as his "Sweet babies" and they affectionately called him "Bubba".

A lifelong teacher . . .

Whether on the golf course, at work, or a family gathering, Richard was always sharing nuggets of wisdom to help equip others navigate this journey called "life". Family, friends and co-workers fondly referred to them as "Arcilessons". "Building relationships and getting along with others is of utmost important in life", he would say.

None of us have a choice as to how we start in life. But we do have a say in how we choose to live, the decisions we make along the way, and ultimately, how we finish. With warmth and laughter, generosity and grace, a humble spirit and great faith, Richard Arcilesi finished well.

It is said that we do some of our best living through the ones we leave behind. As husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Richard left an indelible legacy of love that lives on.

Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha; son, Richard and wife Linda; daughter, Beth and partner Robyn; son, Mark and wife Lorrie; four granddaughters, Marisa Arcilesi, Erica Arcilesi, Brooke Arcilesi and Alexa Arcilesi, all whom live in Charlotte, NC; brother, Vincent and wife Nan, niece, Francesca Arcilesi, all of New York City; and nephew, Piero Arcilesi, of California.

Richard's life will be celebrated Tuesday, April 18, at 2:00 pm at the Church at Charlotte, 2500 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorial gifts can be made to the American Cancer Society or Missouri Baptist Children's Home at 11300 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044.