William "Bill" David Goldston, Jr.

W. D. “Bill” Goldston, Jr., 98, of Eden passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm Friday, May 10, 2024 at Leaksville United Methodist Church. There will be a private burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Bill was born December 26, 1925 in Charlotte, NC, to the late William David Goldston and Rose Hinson Goldston. He was a member of Leaksville United Methodist Church, and previously served as Chairman of the LUMC Endowment Fund. Bill was a member of the Leaksville Lodge, 136, and Shriner’s Oasis Temple. He was also a member of the Chancellor’s Club, UNC-Chapel Hill.

He attended Leaksville Public Schools, graduating in 1942. Following, he attended the Oak Ridge Military Institute, University of North Carolina, and graduated High Point College in 1947 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He also completed the UNC Executive Program in 1967.

Bill was married to Beverly Burton in August of 1946. She passed in 2016. They had two sons, Richard Wesley Goldston and William David Goldston, III, both deceased. He is also preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and George, and sister, Louise.

He served in the U.S. Air Force, completing USAF Pilot Training from 1944-1945, during WWII. He served as 2nd Lt. N.C. National Guard from 1947 to 1950. Bill served in the DOT National Defense Executive Reserve in 1970.

Bill began work for his father’s company, Goldston Transfer, in 1946. He began as a trainee in the manufacturing division of Marshall Field & Co. in 1948. He became president of Goldston Inc. in 1952 and served in this capacity, over multiple departments, until 1983. During this time, the company grew from a two-truck, two-employee operation to having 1500 trailers and operating in 48 states and Canada, employing 650 people.

Bill served in the North Carolina Senate, 24th District, from 1985 to 1992. As Senator, he served as the Chairman of the Transportation Committee and Vice Chairman of Finance, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Higher Education, Human Resources, Manufacturing and Labor, Public Utilities, State Personnel and State Government Ways and Means. He was one of the principal authors of the innovative North Carolina Highway Trust Bill. Bill then served as Chairman of the North Carolina Ports Authority from 1992 to 1999.

Bill was very active in his community, serving in many capacities across the state. His past service includes the Jaycees, Rotary, Morehead Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, Tri-City Chamber of Commerce, Leaksville Township School Board, North Carolina Trucking Association, American Trucking Association, Rockingham Community College Foundation, High Point College Board of Visitors, UNC Educational Foundation, Rockingham County Morehead Scholarship Selection Committee, Appalachian State University Advisory Board – Walker School of Business, Texfi Industries, Inc. Board of Directors, and Standard Holding Corp Board of Directors.

While serving in these leadership roles, Bill was proud of many contributions to his community. During tenure on the School Board, the system was integrated without major incidents, the Auditorium was completed at Morehead High School, a new Football Stadium was constructed, and plans were approved and the contract let for the construction of the new James E. Holmes Jr. High School. As chairman of New Industry Committee, Tri-City Chamber of Commerce, he was instrumental in Anaconda’s Wire and Cable plant locating to Eden. He was also part of the board for Morehead Hospital when fifty bed additions were made. He was also an integral part of a county-wide drive which raised $250,000 for a Student Center at Rockingham Community College.

Bill Goldston was a large part of this community and its history. He will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mr. Goldston to the Leaksville United Methodist Church; 603 Henry St., Eden, NC 27288.