William James Black, Sr. "Bill" Matthews William James Black, Sr. of 733 Plantation Estates Drive, Matthews died on October 26, 2016 after a period of declining health. Bill was born on April 6, 1929 in Matthews, the eldest son of William Earl Black and Sarah Simpson Black. He was a life-long member of Matthews United Methodist Church. Bill is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Dorothy Caldwell Black, his three daughters, Janice Black Alexander (Randy) of Matthews, Sarah Black Pollifrone (Ralph) of Atlanta, GA, and Deborah Black Stegall (Stan) of Matthews, his son, William James Black, Jr. (Lee) of Raleigh, NC and two brothers Ted Michael Black (Rayona) and Gilbert Earl Black (Sharon, deceased). He has five grandsons (Adam, Andrew, Will, Harrison, and Evan), three granddaughters (Alex, Shelby, and Olivia), and one great granddaughter (Zoe)…….each of them loved him dearly and brought him great joy. Additionally, he was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Ross Black Vance and his brothers, Hiram Bunyon Black and Stephen Neely Black. Bill graduated from Matthews high school in 1947. He honorably served his country in the US Army (8th Calvary Regiment) during the Korean War. He was wounded in battle on November 21, 1951 and received the Purple Heart Award on May 15, 1952. Bill retired from Bell South in 1991. Bill's greatest love was his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, and brother. He took his role as a parent very seriously and was most diligent in teaching his four children (and their children) the importance of a strong faith, a good work ethic, good manners, kindness, and responsibility. Not only did his love and devotion apply to his immediate family, but to his extended family as well. No one loved a family reunion better than he. His second love was being on the farm. Bill and Dot parented their children on the home sight of the Caldwell family farm and lived there until it was annexed into Charlotte in 2001. He loved gardening (as in a two and a half acre garden….not a 20 by 20 plot), cows, horses, dogs, cats, and hunting. He also cooked the best barbeque pork one could imagine. And at some time or another he found time to do all of them….all the while working and parenting four children. He lived a long and happy life, and for him and that long life, his family is very thankful. Bill's family would like to thank the staff of Plantation Estates for the kind and loving care he received there. A service celebrating his life and resurrection will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 1:00pm, Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 South Trade Street, NC 28105 with Reverend Chuck Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church after the service. Burial immediately following the visitation at Forest Lawn East Cemetery, 3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Matthews, NC 28104. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Bill's memory to Hospice, Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204; Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 South Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105; or The Samaritan's Fund, Plantation Estates, 733 Plantation Estates Drive, Matthews, NC 28105. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com