Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 11, 2020

Bill Deaton, 91, passed away on September 11, 2020 from COVID-19 complications at Plantation Estates. He had a strong Christian faith, expressing that faith through a life of service and worship. He was well-known for his engaging personality and he enjoyed a good laugh. He brought joy to everyone around him.

Born in Statesville, NC in 1929, the son of Frank and McBride Alexander Deaton, Bill grew up in the 1st ARP Church. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts.

A graduate of Statesville High, he attended the Citadel for one year, and then received his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy graduating in 1952. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. Bill served on active duty for 4 years in Korea and Japan. He continued serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, including having the role of Air Force Academy Liaison Officer, as an official admissions counselor for this home area. He concluded his military service as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.

Bill received his MBA degree from UNC Chapel Hill in 1958, attended Biblical Seminary in New York City for the summer session in 1958, and took courses at Erskine Theological Seminary.
He began his career at American Commercial Bank in 1958 where after his training program he served as Budget Officer, Securities Analyst, and Credit Analyst. Bill retired in 1988 as Trust Officer of North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) after 30 years. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Bill became a member of Tabernacle A.R.P. Church in 1958, and has served as a Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of Session on numerous occasions. He had been a Sunday School teacher and Elder for 54 years at Tabernacle, Craig Avenue Tabernacle, and now King’s Cross Church. In 1966 he worked with the A.R.P. Denomination Finance Committee leaders on the formation of the A.R.P. Foundation. He served as an appointed member of the Board of the A.R.P. Foundation, Inc., and afterwards in 1973 was named Comptroller. In 1988, Bill was employed as Executive Director of the Foundation. Under his leadership the Foundation raised $1.7 million dollars. He stepped down as Director on December 31, 2002, after 36 years of service to the Foundation. He served as Vice Moderator of the General Synod in 1968, and at the age of 39, as Moderator of the General Synod in 1969. He served as Moderator of 1st Presbytery in 1981, 1993, 2011, and 2012. Bill has served as President of the Elders Association of 1st Presbytery several times. He was active in the Gideons International beginning in 1967 and was a speaker for the Gideons several times a year at the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He enjoyed witnessing to many about Jesus Christ and giving them a Gideon New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs.

He also served as an executive officer of Carolina Motor Company and Deaton Brothers in Statesville, NC.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Aleene, sons William Alexander Deaton Jr. (Leslie) of Charlotte, and John Cone Deaton (Jennifer) of Rochester Hills, Michigan, grandsons Alexander Campbell Deaton (Carrie) and Phillip John Deaton (Jackie), granddaughters Allyson Catherine Gordon (John) and Shanna Kathryn Militello (Nico), great-grandchildren Aila and Lee Gordon, James Malcolm Deaton, and Avery Lynn Militello, and many special cousins with whom he relished annual family reunions.

Memorials may be given to: King’s Cross Church, 3936 Craig Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28211 or Gideons International, Charlotte Southeast Camp, P.O. Box 220421, Charlotte, NC 28222

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.