Lyndin Worth Bolton

Worth Bolton, 69, passed away at home in Raleigh with his friends and family. The son of Virginia C. Honeycutt and Worth W. Bolton, he grew up in Wilmington, NC and attended New Hanover High School. Like his father before him, he joined the U.S. Army. He served two tours in Vietnam as an Army C75th Ranger and received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. His military service was important to him and he stayed in touch with other veterans throughout his life. He was at the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC in 1982. He was a proud life member of the Co E (LRP) 20th INF (ABN) & Co. C (RGR) 75th INF (ABN) Association and served as president for a time.

After serving in the military, he enrolled at UNC-Wilmington where he received a bachelor’s degree. He later went to UNC-Chapel Hill’s off-campus work/study program in Wilmington as a component of his master’s degree in social work, which he earned from UNC-CH in 1981. He was a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist and a Certified Clinical Supervisor.

Worth spent his entire career helping people with substance use challenges find help and health, beginning at a time in history when they were considered by most people to be a lost cause. In his various roles as a treatment provider, clinical supervisor, mentor, trainer, teacher, and consultant, he shaped the field of social work and particularly the addictions communities. He joined the UNC School of Social Work Clinical Faculty in 1997 and was instrumental in developing the statewide workforce of current and future substance use disorder professionals. Worth taught courses in the MSW Certificate program, was a field supervisor for students’ clinical hours, and worked with community organizations and the state division of substance use disorders to ensure that the next generation of treatment providers were fully equipped to meet the growing need. In addition, he served as a trainer on mental illness and substance use evidence-based practices for federal grants and worked tirelessly to ensure that Veterans’ behavioral health care needs were met.

He served on statewide and national boards and committees and volunteered countless hours in program development assistance and policy formulation. He was a founding board member of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, and in that role, he visited all of the other Masters’ level substance abuse certificate programs across the state. In addition, he participated as a field reviewer and served on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Social Work in Addictions, and as Chair of NASW’s National ATOD Steering Committee. He was a recurring speaker at the Oxford House Conventions and presented at countless state and national conferences. He conducted training and clinical supervision at a number of US military facilities, and was awarded Preceptor of the Year in 1996 by the US Marine Core.

In his role with students, Mr. Bolton’s commitment was endless. As an instructor, coach, supervisor, and mentor to hundreds of professionals, his impact will be long lasting across the state. In a recent survey of UNC social work program alumni, one respondent commented: “the biggest strength was Worth. He took a personal interest in his students and has always been available when needed even after graduation.” Another student stated, “Worth Bolton is well-known and respected throughout the state, and saying he was your professor carries a lot of weight in the SA/MH community.”

While his achievements and accolades are numerous, what should also be remembered about Worth is his ability to tell a good joke or story on himself and his kindness toward others. He was a great friend to many. He loved the beach and liked to sail with his best friend Jay. He loved to play golf. He was devoted to his wife. Spending time with their daughter Kim and granddaughter Emma gave him great pleasure. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

The family extends its appreciation to the many physicians and caregivers who took care of Worth in these last few years, with special thanks to UNC Psychiatry, Charles House, and Transitions Life Care.

Worth was preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers Bennie Bolton and Maxie Bolton. He is survived by wife Flo, daughter and granddaughter Kim and Emma Hoppin, his sisters Bronwyn Bolton Dalton (Mike), sister Ginger Honeycutt Nobles, and sister Jill Honeycutt Malpass, as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm, January 4, 2020, at the UNC School of Social Work, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Visitation with the family and more story telling will follow immediately after in the Odom Lobby. In lieu of flowers memorial donation checks may be sent to the attention of Mary Beth Hernandez at the UNC School of Social Work, Behavioral Health Springboard in Memory of Worth Bolton. 325 Pittsboro St., CB 3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.