William Harden (Bill) Webster II

William Harden (Bill) Webster, age 60, passed from his earthbound existence surrounded by his devoted wife and caregiver, Mary Reynolds Webster, and his beautiful daughter, Abigail Hope Webster, on Sept. 10, 2012. He “did not go gentle into that good night”, but was well prepared to meet his end after a two year battle with lung cancer caused from smoking. Known by most as a strange little man, few but his family knew him well. He did have many casual friends and acquaintances, but his best friend was his wife of nearly 29 years, Mary.

Bill was predeceased by his father, Col. W.T. Webster, USA, Retired, in 2004; his mother, Fay Webster in 2009; and his youngest sister, Mary Jean Webster Jacobs in 2001.

He is survived by his wife; his daughter; his sister, Elizabeth Miller, Atlanta; an uncle, Denny Webster, Matthews; in-laws, John and Jeanne Reynolds, Charlotte; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Turner (David) and Patricia and Jetton (Will), Charlotte; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Bill stated many times that his most honorable accomplishment was serving as primary caregiver for his parents during their retirement years.

For most of his adult life, Bill was known as a prolific professional photographer, but he was also a poet, song writer, philosopher, teacher, and amateur astronomer.

Born on a March 18, 1952, at a military base in New Jersey, Bill’s army officer father’s career took his family from New Jersey to Ohio to Charlotte (while his dad served in Korea), then to Fort Knox, Kentucky, Okinawa, and Alexandria, VA.

As an adult, Bill lived in the Washington, DC, area for two years, then for eight years in Myrtle Beach, SC, before permanently relocating to Charlotte, his ancestral family home, in 1980. Here, he began his full-time professional photography career working at Camera World, then Charlotte’s only truly professional camera store. In 1981, Bill left Camera World to work with Ron Chapple’s commercial photography studio, helping Ron build a thriving business supplying retail fashion advertising and wholesale catalog photos for the then thriving apparel manufacturing market in both North and South Carolina. It was also during this time, while teaching modeling classes once a month at the Troyanne Ross Institute of Modeling (TRIM), that he met his future wife, 12 years his junior, in 1982. After a brief, whirlwind romance, Bill realized that he’d truly met the love of his life, and they married on May 28, 1983, at Christ Episcopal Church with a lavish reception following at Myers Park Country Club sponsored by Mary’s parents, John and Jeanne Reynolds, the best in-laws a man could ask for.

Shortly after their marriage, Bill began his own business initially known as “Bill Webster Photography”, then evolving into “The Photography Place” in the early 1990’s providing very personalized photography services for individuals, families, and supplying commercial advertising and marketing services to companies such as Belk Brothers, Ivey’s Store, Reebok, Hendrick Motorsports, Carolinas Health Care System, Morris Costume, Charlotte Latin School, and his favorite non-profit organization, The Allegro Foundation, a champion for children with disabilities.

During the 1980’s, 1990’s, and well into the 21st century, Bill also found time to work as an instructor/seminar speaker at The Light Factory, The Shepard’s Center, Wolf Camera, CPCC, UNCC, and UMAR. Bill also served proficiently on the boards of The Light Factory and the Actor’s Theatre. In the early 1990’s Bill was also instrumental in the early success of “Glamour Shots” which east coast operations began at Eastland Mall and later grew into a chain of franchise stores from Washington, DC, to Miami.

Although Bill’s businesses thrived, he was most proud of his loving and faithful marriage to his wife, Mary, and to his special relationship with his daughter, Abby.

Avid travelers, Bill and Mary somehow found the time to vacation in England and France, Florida and Arizona, Asheville, and Charleston, and in 2010 had an extended adventure with their daughter touring San Diego, Los Angeles, San Simeon, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. Bill’s family spent many relaxing weeks and weekends at their Ocean Isle Beach condo each summer and enjoyed cruises in the eastern and western Caribbean.

His family will receive friends on Friday, September 14, 2012, from 6-8 p.m., at McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC. A memorial service will be held at a later time and more information will be provided at that time.

Mary wishes to thank all the friends and family who have shown us love and support throughout Bill's illness and beyond.

In lieu of flowers, Bill asked that any memorials in his name be made to The Allegro Foundation, 3121 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Bill’s final wish was that all Americans will learn to work together for a common good and that all people make time to appreciate the only two things that are meaningful in life-family and friends.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.