William Barnard Finger

December 23, 2018

William Barnard Finger died on December 23, 2018 in Charlotte, NC at Asbury Rehabilitation Center.  He was the loving son of Barnard H. Finger and Avanelle K. Freeman Finger and was born March 2, 1946.  Bill attended Garinger High School and graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, GA, where he received his BS in Industrial & Systems Engineering in 1969, and his Masters in Transportation Engineering in 1970. In 1969, Bill married his sweetheart, Linda Mary Tew, in Charlotte.  He worked in Atlanta and Charlotte as a consulting engineer before joining the Charlotte Dept. of Transportation in 1977. He served there for 29 years and retired as Assistant Director for Planning and Systems.  Bill loved his work and his colleagues at CDOT and enjoyed being a part of Charlotte’s growth and development going into the 21st century.

Bill served in the United States Army for two years and was discharged in 1972 as a 1st lieutenant.  He worked in Detroit with a joint US/German group developing a new tank for NATO. 

Bill was a loving father and grandfather, and a devoted husband.  He leaves behind his wife, Linda; daughter, Kathryn E. Finger (Eric VanNewkirk) of Charlotte;  son, Wesley P. Finger (Rachel Rose) of Atlanta; a sister, Ann E. Finger of Charlotte; and his grandchildren Hannah Rose Finger and Jacob Kendrick Finger of Atlanta, GA.

Bill was a great story-teller and loved retelling tales of his family travels and especially of the life of his adventurous father, Barney Finger.  Bill will be missed by many friends at St. John’s Baptist Church where he grew up and served as a deacon [serving a term as chairman], a youth Sunday school teacher, and a volunteer for many years.  He was also a devoted friend to his close group of TKE fraternity brothers with whom he travelled and spent many happy times throughout his life.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 29, 2018  at St. John’s Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  Interment will be private in Elmwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Missions fund, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 220287, Charlotte, NC 28222.   

 

 

 

 

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  • Bob Kuhns

    I just discovered that Bill passed away a couple of years ago. I am very sorry to have come across this news. I first met Bill in 1975 - he was my first boss after I graduated from the University of MD (College Park) with a Masters in Transportation. I couldn't have asked for a better 'first boss'. He was the office manager for Hensley Schmidt in a small office in Charlotte. When I arrived in July 1975, there were two other persons. Bill would often invite me to have lunch with him, his father and the city traffic engineer, Herman Hoose. The conservations were lively and included many local historic stories. I also was invited to his home to meet his wife. I learned a great deal during those months, taking his advice on traffic and transportation issues as well as sports (seeing Pistol Pete Maravich play and attending UNCC games the year before they went to the Final Four). Bill was only four years older than me but much like a father figure in his concern and sincerity. The company transferred me to their Jackson MS office in January 1976 but I still was able to see Bill when he'd visit our MS office or when we'd both attend ITE conferences around the south. Bill was a great person, professional and an outstanding role model to follow throughout my career. RIP - Bob

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  • Karen Coleman

    The Finger Family,
    All of us at TKE International Headquarters were saddened to hear about the passing of William. We know he was a great and passionate member. We also appreciate his service in the Army. Our thoughts are with your family at this difficult time.
    Sincerely, TKE Staff

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  • Nancy Carter

    Dear Family of Bill,
    Please know how much Bill meant to me during the time I served on City Council and ever after. He was a treasure in so many ways, an astute professional who shared his knowledge and expertise willingly, someone to be trusted. I am so grateful to have known Bill and am so very sorry for your loss. His memory will be cherished.
    With prayers and sympathy,
    Nancy C

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  • Norm Steinman

    Since I am recovering from an accident, I won't be able to attend today's Memorial Service for Bill.

    After his 29 years at the Charlotte DOT, Bill Finger's legacy can be found throughout Charlotte. Traffic signal systems, thoroughfares, intersections and sidewalks were built, expanded or replaced because of Bill's recommendations. Other new options for travel in Charlotte, such as light rail transit, were also supported by Bill. Bill's capabilities as a multi-modal engineer and his powers of persuasion decisively influenced how Charlotte's transportation networks were created during crucial years of growth in this region.

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  • Dorothea Martin Hoffman

    Dear Kat, It is hard to lose someone as notable as your father at any time. I will be making a donation to Habitat for Humanity in his memory. Love, Dorothea

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  • Holly Hajduk

    Kat, I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I know you only have fond memories of him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Holly Hajduk

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  • Johnny Johns

    Bill and I were frat brothers with TKE at GA Tech and shared a bond of being fellow Carolinians. Bill was a great brother during our college years and I respected him greatly. While we lost touch after college, I will always remember his tutelage with class assignments and life mentoring. My condolences to the family.

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  • PATRICK MORGAN

    AS A GARINGER GRADUATE WITH BILL AND A COWORKER OF BILL'S AT CDOT, HIS PASSING CAME AS A SURPRISE AS I JUST LEARNED ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN YOU SAY, HE WAS THE CONSUMMATE WORKER, A TRAFFIC ENGINEERING WHIZ. BUT ABOVE ALL THAT, HE HAD A WIT ABOUT HIM THAT WOULD LIGHT UP THE ROOM, SOMEONE YA JUST LIKED BEING AROUND. HE WAS ONE OF THE GOOD ONES..............

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  • Dianne Whitacre Straley

    Bill told me a wonderful story once that showed he never stopped caring about traffic and the city's drivers. It was a weekend and Bill was out on his bike when he noticed a traffic signal was malfunctioning. What does he do? Call it in to the city's weekend crew? Nope. He used a master key to open the nearby signal controller and make changes himself. But he gets noticed by a driver with a cell phone.
    Why would a man on a bike be fiddling with a traffic-signal control box, the driver must have wondered. Soon a cop shows up. Bill identifies himself, the officer is satisfied and Bill continues on his bike ride. And traffic keeps moving.
    I'm glad I got to know Bill Finger. He was a wonder.

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  • Elizabeth Bentley

    Bill was such a kind man and a wonderful spouse and father. He had unlimited curiosity about history, and he could tell you in detail why things are the way they are. My thoughts today are with Kathy, Wes, and Linda. He will be missed.

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