William "Bill" E. McElrath, Jr.
January 10, 1934 ~ June 14, 2017
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
William Earl McElrath, Jr., of 81 Little Fox Lane in Fletcher, passed away on Wednesday, June 14th, 2017, at the John F. Keever Solace Center. He was born in Asheville on January 10, 1934, to the late William Earl and Nettie Compton McElrath. He had five siblings whom he loved dearly: Edward McElrath, Anne Casey, and Barbara Warren who predeceased him, and Howard McElrath and Judi Hobson.
Bill, or "Big Mac," as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, moved to New Hampshire during his early years, where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and skiing. He even played the trumpet in the New Hampshire State high school orchestra. After moving back to North Carolina in 1949, he attended Woodfin High School where he was named the NC Beta Club President his senior year and was selected to play on the Optimist Bowl football team in 1951. He graduated from Woodfin High in 1952.
Bill received an athletic and academic scholarship to Western Carolina University. He was highly involved in WCU student government and was elected president of his junior and senior classes. He lettered in football all four years, earning first team all state honors as a tackle and was chosen co-captain during his senior year. He graduated from Western in 1956 with a BS degree in Education. Later, he earned a Master's degree in Administration from WCU.
In 1956, Bill began his career in education at Marion High School while he also served in the US Army and NC National Guard. In 1957, he started working at Enka High School, where he spent 25 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal. He dedicated himself to his profession as principal of Enka High for 13 years. His faculty, students, and players fondly remember him as a kind and influential leader and still call him 'Coach' or 'Big Mac' to this day.
In 1982, he accepted a position as Associate Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools where he served until he retired in 1989. His retirement was short lived, as he became the Assistant Buncombe County Manager in 1989 and Buncombe County Manager in 1993, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. He loved the people he worked with in both the school system and county government and missed them greatly after retirement.
Bill was highly involved with his community, spearheading successful bond referendums for schools and colleges in Buncombe County from 1983 to 2001. He served on numerous county and civic committees and was the chairman of the DSS board for many years, as well as a member of the Health board and Integrated Human Services board. He was also instrumental in making the Asheville Humane Society a reality, while serving on the founding board of the Buncombe County Friends of Animals.
"Big Mac" had many interests, including gardening, painting, and singing tenor in one of ACT's Christmas productions. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. He was an exceptional golfer and was named a onetime Country Club of Asheville Golf Champion, as well as a Senior Club Champion on many occasions. He won the NC Principals Golf Championship four times, and was named the NC/SC Senior Golf Champion in 2004.
Bill's family and friends will always remember his sense of humor, and how he loved getting together for holidays and celebrations. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church of Asheville.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Truncer McElrath of Fletcher; daughter Debi McElrath Morgan (John) of Candler; son Bill McElrath (Connie) of Arden; and grandchildren, Evan Morgan (Kelly), Taylor Miller, (Josh), and Payton McElrath. Also surviving are his step children; Robert Elliott (Angie) of Greensboro, Chris Elliott (Pam) of Apex, Jan Elliott Bell (Vance) of Asheville, and step-grandchildren; Madison, Hunter, Eva, Gus, Logan, Lynden, Peyton, and Alec.
Visitation will be at Groce Funeral Home, Lake Julian, Arden, NC, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Saturday, July 1. In remembrance of Bill, some of his paintings will be on display, and his family will be celebrating the extraordinary legacy he left behind.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Buncombe County Schools Foundation, the Asheville City Schools Foundations, and the WCU Foundation.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Linda and Family,
May Jerry and I offer our heartfelt sympathy in the death of Mr. Bill. He was such a nice person, we loved him, and I am sure he will be missed by many. May God be with you and your family during this time of loss. May you feel and know His love, comfort and peace.
Our love,
To Linda and the kids, his humor and personality will forever be missed by all of us who knew him as a friend and golfing partner.
Bill and I were friends for a long time.There are too many memories for me to try to share in a short space.Bill was happy I gave the portrait he painted of Fleming Browne and I at the Linville golf course to Marilyn Browne when Fleming died.Will always remember my buddy.Rest in peace.
I lay in bed last night staring at the ceiling remembering long days ago at Enka High School. Coach Mac was my first basketball coach and lead our freshman JV team to the Buncombe county championship. I liked and respected him very much. He attended some of our class reunions and was kind to all. Hallie and I loved him and will greatly miss him. May God be with the family.
What a blessing and privilege to have known Bill McElrath! He always had a warm smile, pleasant demeanor, firm handshake, and sincere greeting of encouragement.  A gentleman and friend to all, he was a fine example for how to live one’s life. He touched the lives of MANY in a positive way! Our world will certainly be a sadder place without him, but I know his memory will live on.Â
He was my 10th grade Biology teacher at Enka HS., and really enjoyed teasing me about the different pronunciation of our last name, spelled exactly the same. He always made Biology Class very enjoyable!
To a GREAT teacher and friend – Rest in Peace.
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to all the family,
~ Wanda McElrath Stamey
I am saddened at the death of a fine man. My prayers are with all his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. Bill was a part of my life since 1969, as a Principal and a friend. I will miss his smile and laugh.
Prayers for the family in your loss , Mr. Mc was. a great example of what a great man is
Mrs. Harwood , my sincerest sympathies are with you and your family at this sad time. My husband, Donald Jones (who passed away in July of this year), was Supt. of the Asheville City Schools years ago and worked with Mr. McElrath in that capacity. He spoke highly of your husband and enjoyed his friendship with him. Mr. McElrath was a fine man and well thought of in the educational field of Asheville. He was a blessing to many young people who came under his care. You are in my prayers at this difficult time.
Bill was a wonderful neighbor and was the best HOA President ever. He spent timeless hours working on HOA issues, as he deeply loved and cared about our neighborhood. It was so appreciated. He had a keen sense of humor and a great smile. He did random acts of kindness for others. He was a fine man, gone way to soon. We will miss him. Gone but not forgotten. Condolences to his wife Linda, and all the family. Sending my prayers and love to you at this difficult time.
Linda, so sorry to here about your husband Bill, our family really liked him. Janet David
Linda, Bill will be missed by so many people, that includes me. It was so good to see him before his passing. The war stories we told that day brought back so many memories. Please know you the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Tommy Koontz
To the family I am saddened at the passing of Coach McElrath. Always a smile on his face. We have lost another one of our Enka High School loved one.
Praying for the family.
God Bless to each one.
Love and prayers, Debi
I remember you well. You always had a smile for me. My thoughts an prayers are with your family now at this sad time but I’m sure you’re rejoicing in the sky. Dance with the angels on high for me, I remember you doing that down the hallway one day back in 1973
Rest In Peace,
your friend here…
Darlene Fisher Myers
I am so sorry for your loss. As one of his Enka High
School students I can honestly say, he touched
us, he taught us, he friended us. And he will be
missed !
Bill was always wearing a smile when I saw him roaming the halls of DSS, where I retired from and came to know him. He left behind a positive influence for our community. Brenda Rice McElrath
Condolences to you all. Bill and Linda made a big positive difference in my life by hiring me to work at EHS in 1980. I’m thankful for them both. I have lots of great memories while working with Bill. He was a great principal. And I was blessed to have been reunited with them at the EHS faculty reunions and again, just before his illness was diagnosed. He was a blessing to many, many people. Linda, please let me know if you need help in any way or just if you need a listening ear. Freda
So sorry to hear of ‘Big Mac’s’ passing. I am ever thankful that he hired me at EHS, during a time when jobs were difficult to come by. I will miss seeing him at Kosta’s in Fletcher. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug. Almost embarrassed when I told him Tim Miller and I decided that he was the best ‘boss’ we ever had.
My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you now, and during the difficult days ahead. I’m sure he’s already been checking out the golf courses, and is amazed by the beautiful greens
As a neighbor, next door, to Bill and Linda, I can only say he will be missed. In the morning he always took time to wish us a warm and special ‘Good Morning, Girls.’ Always with a warm and friendly smile. Will certainly miss that. As well. May God’s presence be ever close to Linda and the extended family. Our love and prayers are with you. Renie
Bill, was a grand friend and we so loved getting together to play ‘Sequence’! He and mom always won! We will miss his cheery waves no his ‘how ya doin, Darlin!’ And his infectious laugh! May God bless Linda and the rest of his family! Love Jackee and Renie
My most heartfelt condolences are offered to Coach McElrath’s family at his passing. He was such an influential person in the lives of so many Enka High School students and we will miss him. It was such a wonderful experience to have him attend a Class of 1965 reunion and see how happy he was. He was such a marvelous educator, community leader and man and he will be missed.
Prayers for the family. He was a great influence in my life at Enka High.
My condolences to Coach Mac’s family. He was my Biology teacher for two years in the late 60’s. He will be forever missed.
Dearest Debi, John, Evan, and family, We are so very sorry about your sweet Father and will continue praying for God’s comfort and peace! Love you firmer ASU roommate!
Linda, I’m very sorry to hear about Mac’s passing. Not only was he a great friend, but a terrific golf partner. We partnered at the club and in the Carolina’s Senior Golf Association for about 6 years and for several of those years we won more tournaments than any other pair! We were a perfect match! He hit it very long and I got it up and down.
I will miss him greatly.
Big Mac left a positive influence on everyone he came into contact with. His loving nature and comforting smile will always be remembered in the Enka district and throughout the Asheville area. My heartfelt love and support go out to his entire family. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you during this time. Please know your friends are praying for your comfort and peace.
To the McElrath family, I am so sorry for your loss. Debi and Bill, your dad was such a positive, uplifting mentor to me as a beginning teacher at Enka High School in the late 60’s. Throughout my 16 years at Enka, he was always there with a word of advice when I needed it most. I know you are proud of his accomplishments and the fact he was influential in the many lives he touched. He will be missed but not forgotten. Fortunate to have been a faculty member his entire tenure as principal of Enka High School.
Condolences to the family. He was certainly a good man. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Bill was a great friend football coach.also remember that he took me home after practice when l missed my ride home
What a legacy…what a gift to our community. Thanks Mr. McElrath.
Linda, Bill and Connie, I was saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He is a true legend! We shared many good times together- providing lasting memories. I valued his wisdom and insight.. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
Linda, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bill was a wonderful colleague and friend.
My condolences to Linda and the family during this difficult time. Bill was a great friend for many years and fortunately, our paths crossed some time back and we shared some good stories with each other. He was a class guy!
SORRY FOR YOUR LOST LINDA HE ONE FINE PERSON’ HE WELL BE MISSED BY EVRYONE THAT LOVED HIM DEARLY… SEE YOU ONE DAY SOON THEY KIDS THAT KNEW YOU FROM ENKA HIGH WE SURE GONE MISS YOU THANK YOU FOR EVER THING YOU DID FOR ALL OF US … FLY HIGH MY ANGEL
Thinking of you Linda during this difficult time! Will keep you and your family lifted in prayer!!! Hug!!!
Debi, I am so sorry to learn about your dad’s passing. Remembering you and your family. Sincerely, Cindy Reeves
I owe everything that I was as a teacher to one man -Bill McElrath. How he put up with me, the Lord only knows. His kind hearted approach to dealing with me allowed me to serve Hominy Valley for over thirty years. If you look just at the seventeen teachers that he hired during his first full year at Enka and the fact that all seventeen of those educators retired from the teaching profession, you have just scratched the surface of those whose lives he touched. To me, he was bigger than life in so many ways! I will miss him. ej
Linda, I am so sorry to learn about Bill’s passing. He was such a joy to work with. You know I loved him and I love you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bill was appointed Buncombe County Manager when I was Chairman of the County Commissioners (1988-1996). He was the second Manager after Steve Metcalf (he served as Steve’s Assistant). He served during a time of great challenges to the County, such as establishing a new landfill and several important building projects: a new $26 million jail, a new swimming pool at Recreatiion Park and a new McCormick Field. Also, the County established the Mountain Mobility program, the County Fair (which has become the Mountain State Fair), additional pay for teachers, and many, many other projects.
It was a pleasure to assist this wonderful family with the Estate of Bill’s sister and her husband. I will remember his kindness and his encouraging words as well as his stories. Loved his ‘Red Socks’? hat he always wore. Another wonderful Star is shining down on us from heaven. Rest In Peace Bill you will always be in my heart.