William Avera "Bill" Wynne; Jr., former owner and operator of Rocky Mount Radio Station WEED and WRSV-FM, died Feb. 8, 2012 with his loving sons by his side. He was 74.
The son of William Avera and Anne Hunter Wynne, grandson of radio pioneer and North Carolina's first professional baseball player Will Wynne, Bill was born in Rocky Mount, a member of Rocky Mount High Class of 1955, graduated from the University of Miami (1959), and served in the United States Army Reserve. He raised his family in Rocky Mount with his wife, the late Jean Letellier Wynne. Radio Station WEED was established in 1933. In 1975, Bill conceived and established WRSV-FM to better serve the community. Bill retired from broadcasting in 1989. An electronics and computer hobbyist, Bill loved the Florida lifestyle and enjoyed his home in Pompano Beach, Fla.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in law, William Avera Wynne III, and Sharon Wynne of St. Petersburg, Fla. and their sons William and Thomas; and son David Hunter Wynne of Fort Myers, Fla., and his daughters Alison and Julianne; and brother-in-law Silas Wike Letellier of Crofton, MD.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will follow the service. A private burial will take place at Pineview Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 2/12, 3:00 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 2/12, 2:00 pm
Cemetery
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
We have only known Bill for the past 20 years when his son Avera, took our daughter Sharon as his wife. I’ve always been impressed with this guy who was building computers when most of the rest of us were stumbling our way through trying to digest HTML coding. He was a wonderful guy who loved, and took very good care of his family. Don and Clara Kennedy
Nancy Severance Chesson Haynes Billy was general manager of WEED Radio, where I began my career. I worked on-air there in high school as part of the Radio Broadcasters Club, then became a full-time employee. That’s where I met my first husband Bob Chesson, now deceased. Bob and I moved from Rocky Mount to Charlotte in 1969, when Bob was hired at Big WAYS.
Sent a gift in memory of William Bill Avera Wynne
Hi David and Avera, L.M.and I were saddened today to learn of Billy’s death. We have missed your Mom very much as we thought a lot of each of your parents. Just know we are thinking of you and your families as we are in Florida at this time.
Nancy, GREAT photo just as I remember you from early 1967 when Billy gave me an opportunity to go on-the-air doing Wesleyan College Reports followed by a part time job the remainder of my sophomore year. Billy stepped up to the plate and took a chance on me when the competition wanted prior experience, and for this I will always feel grateful to him. I wanted to break into the Charolotte market after college but due to military draft pressures that did not happen. Glad to hear your husband had that opportunity at good ‘ol 61 Charlotte WAYS! Sincerely, Phil Maness
Dear Avera & David….I will always remember your father as the kind businessman willing to take a chance on a rookie broadcaster. When other stations wanted to see prior experience, he started me cold with the ink hardly dry on my 3rd class license covering college news. This small beginning with Wesleyan College Reports led into a part time DJ position with WEED during my spring semester 1967. We always remember how folks make us feel, and your dad and the staff were terrific to work with….answering my questions and always exhibiting a great sense of humor as well. You guys were indeed blessed. Philip M. (Phil) Maness