VGCC announces $1.6 million bequest from World War II veteran

A highly decorated World War II fighter pilot has bequeathed Vance-Granville Community College $1.6 million.

 

The gift from Wilbert Allen “Bill” Edwards, who died Oct. 31, 2001, is the second largest in the history of the college, according to an announcement Monday night by VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams.

 

A resident of Oxford at the time of his death, Edwards (pictured above, in a 1999 photo) was a native of Vance County. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II as a fighter pilot in the 9th Air Force in the European Air Offensive in Normandy, northern France and the Rhineland.

 

During his military career, he received the Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters, the EAMET (Europe-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign) Ribbon with four Battle Stars, the American Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and a Unit Citation Medal.

 

Dr. Williams, in making the announcement of the gift to the college’s Board of Trustees in its regular bimonthly meeting, expressed appreciation for Edwards’ legacy.

 

“A representative of what is often called the ‘Greatest Generation,’ Mr. Edwards proudly served his country during his lifetime,” Dr. Williams said. “Members of his generation not only knew the meaning of words like ‘community,’ ‘courage’ and ‘sacrifice,’ but they also looked to the future with a sense of hope.

 

“Through this gift to our college, Mr. Edwards clearly demonstrated his desire to serve his community for years to come, and to provide hope for generations of students.”

 

Upon returning to the Henderson area after his military service, Edwards worked as an accountant for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, retiring after 44 years with the company.

 

Travis Ross of Henderson, who traveled with Edwards on tobacco market buying trips, described him as a gentleman, mostly private, who was extremely meticulous in his work as a bookkeeper as they made seasonal buying trips across some seven states.

 

“He wore a suit and a tie most every day,” Ross said, noting that he often added a stylish hat. “I can’t remember seeing him without a suit and tie…. He never got excited. He never raised his voice.”

 

A lifelong member of the Fuller Chapel United Church of Christ in Vance County, Edwards served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir.

 

“He was the epitome of a Southern gentleman, gentle in his treatment of others, courteous yet holding high standards,” said the Rev. Tammy Ayscue, Edwards’ pastor at Fuller Chapel. “He understood and lived dignity and respect. He listened intently and carefully considered his responses. He was well educated with a breadth of knowledge, experience, and reflective in his thinking. He valued education.

 

“He paid attention to the details in his dress, his behavior, his words, his business, and his love. He was meticulous and thorough. He always strived for the best — the best outcome, investment, decision, and answer to a question,” she added.

 

Edwards’ wife, who died in August 2013, was Fannie Owen Edwards, who served for more than 50 years as the administrative assistant for the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, retiring in the mid-1990s.

 

A great-nephew of Fannie Edwards, David Owen, said his great-uncle “was very passionate about education. That’s why he’s done what he’s done.” Since the Edwards couple didn’t have children, he said, “He wanted to do something to better the community, especially through education.” Owen, plant manager of Gate Precast in Oxford, said Edwards and his great-aunt dated for 25 years before marrying. They were married for 22 years until his death.

 

Edwards lived on Andrews Avenue in Henderson in the house owned by his father and mother for most of his life, even staying there after his marriage in order to take care of his elderly mother following his father’s, said Alan Rowland of Henderson, a nephew, who works for the N.C. Department of Transportation out of its Youngsville office. He is the son of Edwards’ sister.

 

Rowland said his uncle was a Campbell University alumnus who demonstrated his belief in education by encouraging his 11 nieces and nephews, who knew him as “Uncle Will,” to go to school and to graduate. He helped some of them with college expenses as needed. Rowland said his uncle helped him pay for textbooks during his own time as a student at VGCC.

 

Steve Moss of the accounting firm Holden Moss in Henderson worked with Edwards for 25 years. “Mr. Edwards’ massive social conscience is evidenced by his bequests, leaving all of his estate to worthy non-profit organizations,” Moss said. “My recollection from conversations with Mr. Edwards was that he believed in the value of VGCC to the community and scholarships for education for those in need.”

 

The Edwards gift will greatly benefit students and the community at large, Dr. Williams said. “As we follow our college’s mission to educate, inspire and support a diverse community of learners, we will sustain Mr. Edwards’ generosity by using this gift to further educational excellence, quality instruction, student access and success.”

 

The gift is just slightly less than the $1.7 million left to Vance-Granville Community College by Robert “Bob” Butler, formerly of Warrenton. Butler was a retired executive with the Mount Olive Pickle Company who died in July 1998. His large donation came at the same time as a $900,000 gift from Nannie Crowder of Henderson, a retired librarian who died on the same day as Butler. With Edwards, the three of these donors account for more than $4.1 million of the $7.8 million given to the college.

 

Through the Endowment Fund and Scholarship Program, VGCC has awarded more than 7,000 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college's faculty and staff.