William "Bill" Joseph Samuels
March 19, 1952 ~ April 25, 2017
Resided in:
Arden, NC
William "Bill" Joseph Samuels, 65, of Arden, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at his residence.
A native of Oak Ridge, TN, he was a son of Garland Samuels and of the late Marie Heider Samuels. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Jane Samuels.
Bill proudly served his country in the US Army from 1972-1974. He went on to earn his Bachelors of Science in Horticulture and Turf Management from the University of Tennessee.
After working at both Ogden City and Stansbury Golf Clubs in Utah and Champion Golf Club in Lexington, KY, Bill began his 25 year career as the Golf Course Superintendent at Biltmore Forest Country Club. In honor of his service, the BFCC has established an award in Bill's name, which will be given annually to an employee who exhibits the same loyalty, passion, hard work and dedication that Bill demonstrated.
When not on the golf course, Bill enjoyed mountain biking with family, fly fishing with friends, working in his yard and walking his dog Cane. He will be loved and missed dearly by his family and friends.
In addition to his father, Bill is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Vickie Wright Samuels; their two children, Mary and Zach Samuels and his four siblings, Ann Wright, David Samuels, Mary Samuels and Kathy Crabb.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 2 at St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church with Father Adrian Porras officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception in the church parish hall immediately following the Mass. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 3 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated, but for those who choose, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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Love and sympathy to Vickie, Mary and Zack and all of the extended family. We share your sadness and wish we were able to be at the services.
Bill was a special man.
Love to all.
The Wayne Wright Family
Lynn, Linda, Judy and Micki
So fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a great man. He always added sunshine to my days. Peace to all family members and friends.
My deepest condolences during this difficult time. I’m a good friend of Mary’s.
Garland, David and family. So sorry to hear the passing of your son and brother. I was in the class of ’69 with David and bowled with you Garland in league competition. Please accept my sincere condolences and deepest regrets in your loss.
So very sorry that you have such a big loss in your family. Bill was a wonderful, kind man. Mike and I are so thankful to have called him our friend. He will be greatly missed. We love you Vickie.
Bill was the first superintendent at The Champions Golf Club and the best. Mary taught Zach for 3 years in pre school Montesorri and Vickie mentored our daughter in physical therapy so we have fond memories of Bill,Vickie and family. Our sincere sympathies to all who loved Bill.
So so sad to hear the news of Bill’s passing….!
It has been years I know … we are now retired and living in Manchester NH…close to our boys and our 3 grandchildren.
We have lovely memories of Bill….hugs and love to you and the kids.
Lee and Shawn Foster
My sincere condolences for Bill’s family. I had the privilege to know Bill while he worked at the Champions Golf Course in Lexington and then at Biltmore
Forest. He was such a pleasant person to talk to during our working years at each of the Golf Course.
I had the privilege of working with Bill at Champions in Lexington and throughout his 25 years at Biltmore Forest. Bill was a gentleman, and the best and most professional golf course superintendent of all that I have known. My sincere condolences to Bill’s family. Richard Embry
Vickie
You know how I loved Bill. I will miss seeing him every day for 25 years.
I remember when they hired him.. He was my confidant and I was his.
God bless you and Zack and Mary.
Thank you Bill
for everything you have done for me over the years
Dear Vickie, Zack and Mary. I just received this news this morning and am stunned. I loved Bill so much. His integrity as a man, his devotion to his family and career, and his compassion towards all, are unmatched. Zach and Mary, your mother and I communicated this morning. I sent her a photo which she will share with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
The staff of the American Cancer Fund® at http://www.AmericanCancerFund.org is sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We have just received a memorial donation in his name and our sincere condolences go out to his family.