Obituaries — July 2

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 2, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

William ‘Bill’ Francis Haggerty

William Francis Haggerty, “Bill,” 68, of Advance, died on June 25, 2020 in Winston-Salem, of complications from cancer of unknown primary.

Haggerty was born on Oct. 11, 1951, in The Bronx, N.Y. He grew up in Oak Ridge, N.J., and was raised by his parents the late Gilda and Bill Haggerty. He graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he later coached for six years. As a child and young man, Haggerty was an incredible athlete who played basketball and baseball in high school and ran competitively. He could sprint a mile in just over 4 minutes and he ran nine marathons including the Boston and New York City marathons with a best time of two hours, 24 minutes and 17 seconds.

Haggerty graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, where he would later return to coach. To know Haggerty was to know what a dedicated and hard worker he was. When he set his mind to reaching a goal, there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish, as is evidenced by his coaching career at Catawba. Haggerty started as the women’s basketball coach in 1984 where he turned a losing program around in just three years and then became the assistant men’s coach for 27 years. Haggerty was also the head cross country coach for both the men’s and women’s teams for 14 years. The teams he coached accumulated 1,267 wins, 13 championships, and made 33 regional and four national tournament appearances. Haggerty was known for his excellent recruiting skills and during his time at Catawba he recruited more than 260 athletes, 96% of whom graduated. He also directed summer camps at Catawba for 28 years, and was instrumental in fundraising for the school he loved.

Haggerty married his wife Carolyn in 1986 when he also became father to her three children, Amanda, Jared and Travis. They raised their family in Salisbury where they were members of First Presbyterian Church. Bill and Carolyn moved to Advance in 2005 where they have been active members at Clemmons Presbyterian Church.

Haggerty will be remembered by all who loved him as an incredibly generous man who was full of life. He took pride in everything he did and always gave his best effort. He went out of his way for those lucky enough to have known him, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for a person in need. He inspired his athletes as a mentor and coach. He shaped and inspired his children with his strong values and dedication to family. There was nothing Haggerty loved more than his wife, family, sports, and good food. He was fortunate to live a life filled with all of these things.

Haggerty is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Amanda (Jeff), sons Jared (Amie) and Travis (Amanda), and also by his brothers Steven (Laura), Robert (Nancy), and Michael (Alicia), and grandchildren Maya (13), Jonah (11), Emma (8) and Owen (5) as well as three more grandchildren who are on the way.

Due to the gathering restrictions, at this time there will be a small private service for immediate family only and details about a celebration of life will be shared once plans can be made. Arrangements are being made through Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home and messages of condolence can be left at their home page. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Haggerty’s honor to the Cancer Research Institute at this link: https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/BillHaggerty or contact the development office at Catawba College at 704-637-4394 or development@catawba.edu in order to make an earmarked donation to The Bill and Carolyn Haggerty Endowed Scholarship.

Thomas Walter Poindexter Sr.

Mr. Thomas Walter Poindexter, Sr. unexpectedly passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2020. He was born in Winston-Salem on Aug. 1, 1934, to the late Joseph Roy and Bertha Alexander Poindexter. T.W. or “Took” as he was known to many, graduated from South Fork High School and North Carolina State University. His entire career was in his family business, Poindexter Lumber Company, which his father began, he and his brother, J.R., continued and is operated by T.W., his son, and grandson.

One of Poindexter’s accomplishments was being inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame for sponsoring a men’s softball team for many years. He enjoyed cheering for the Wolfpack and the Yankees, as well as, playing golf with his buddies. Poindexter was a dedicated charter member of West Side Baptist Church, which he helped to build serving the church in many ways.

Poindexter married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Barney. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary.

In addition to his parents, Poindexter is preceded in death by his brother, J.R. Poindexter, and his son, James Kelvin Poindexter. Surviving are his wife; daughter Debbie Hunter (Randy); son Tom Poindexter (Cindy); grandchildren Chris Poindexter (Cella), Patrick Hunter (Sara), Alex Hunter (Jillian), and Mollie Belet (Dan); and great-grandchildren Adryan Poindexter, Jackson Hunter, and Jacob Belet.

Poindexter was a quiet man of few words, but when you were fortunate enough for him to share his thoughts with you, there was sage advice and sincerity in those words. His love and concern for others was obvious in his words and the way he lived his life.

A private service will be held due to the COVID-19 social guidelines. Plans are to have a celebration of a life well lived at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West Side Baptist Church, 595 S. Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.