Billie "Bill" Donald Cline

He was born August 7, 1934, in Gaston County and was the son of the late Clarence Leonard and Violet Devada Blankenship Cline. He was a graduate of Gastonia High School and East Carolina University. He played American Legion baseball, with his brothers, in the Gastonia area and at East Carolina. He later played semi-pro baseball in Nova Scotia. He enjoyed playing golf all over the world and especially in Ireland. He enjoyed his golf friends and their lively discussions at the 19th hole.

He was the owner/operator of Building Contractors. For more than 25 years, he and his crew were responsible for the construction involved at the Southern Christmas Show and the Southern Spring Show in Charlotte. Each year they would start from scratch, pulling facades from warehouses that would become the Old Towne shopping district, Christmas Tree Lane, a magical gingerbread house, or some other fabulous Christmas memory for thousands of people to enjoy. Then each spring, they started again, constructing designer rooms and garden vignettes for the Southern Spring Show. Bill and his crew could build anything in two weeks and tear it down in three days. As soon as one show concluded, they immediately began preparing for the next show.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Alan Lacy Cline; and two brothers, Harold Jennings Cline and Gaither Delano Cline.

He is survived by his wife, Patti Page Cline, whom he married on June 28, 1986; two sons, Bruce Adams Cline of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Donald Wilson Cline of Tampa, Florida; a brother, Leonard Elmore Cline; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 4:00 PM Thursday, May 28, 2015, at his home.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 PM Thursday at the home prior to the service.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cool Spring United Methodist Church, 1902 Mocksville Highway, Cleveland, NC 27013; or to Samaritan’s Purse, Nepal Earthquake Relief, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.