William Dinwiddie

Waynesville, The Reverend William Courtenay Dinwiddie, Sr. departed life on November 20, 2011 in Waynesville, North Carolina. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 21, 1914, the son of Caroline Summey Dinwiddie and Albert Bledsoe Dinwiddie, Professor of Mathematics and President of Tulane University. William Dinwiddie was educated in New Orleans public schools, Tulane University, and the University of Texas. He received his Bachelor of Divinity from Austin Theological Seminary and his Master of Theology from Columbia Seminary. In 1944 he married Adrienne Clara Geiser of New Orleans. Beginning his ministry at age 28, Reverend Dinwiddie served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in Clarendon, Arkansas, Covington, Louisiana, Decatur, Georgia, Brooksville, Florida, Greensboro, Alabama, and Millbrook, Alabama. He also served several churches as an interim minister until age 85. In the 1970's, Reverend Dinwiddie was a leader in the formation of the Presbyterian Church of America, which sustains the conservative principles of that denomination. He was a jovial and gentle man who enjoyed family and good food. He was an avid fan of crossword puzzles and enjoyed tinkering with electronic devices. He also followed political and sports events, particularly baseball, up to the time of his death. In 2001 he moved to Waynesville, North Carolina, became an active member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, and attended the HRMC Fitness Center regularly until his wife's illness in 2006. He was preceded in death by Adrienne, his wife of 64 years, sisters Mary, Worth, and Emily, and a brother, George, who was the president of both the New Orleans Dock Board and the New Orleans Public Service Corporation. He is survived by two daughters, Mabel Thomas and Caroline Dinwiddie; a son, Dr. William C. Dinwiddie, Jr.; 5 grandchildren, Lt. Commander Martin Thomas, Dr. Andrea Thomas Le, Andrew Dinwiddie, Ethan Dinwiddie, and Alexandra Dinwiddie; and five great-grandchildren, Xavier Le, Ana Sofia Le, Alexander Le, John Thomas and Nathan Thomas. A graveside service will be held at Greenhill Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25, under the direction of Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville, the Reverend Larry Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 166 Pigeon Street, Waynesville, NC.

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