Obituary of William Dale "Bill Jr." Goodrich II

William Dale “Bill Jr.” Goodrich II was called home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2022. Bill was born on January 3, 1968 and raised in the Mt. Carmel Church Community near Jordan Lake in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Bill can best be described as a man who took a hands-on approach to life – living in and for the moment. As a true outdoorsman, Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter. He spent an untold amount of time at Kerr Lake – his happy place – and he was blessed to spend the last few years of his life on or near those sacred waters. Bill loved the lake life and everything it entailed: sunsets, crappie fishing and jugging for giant catfish, but his favorite pastime was teaching children how to fish. His legacy will live on through all the children he taught to cast a rod, reel in a fish and the children who today can now call themselves a fisherman – all thanks to Bill.

At a young age, Bill showed a true gift for carpentry. His beautiful pieces, including his award-winning grandfather clock, still proudly decorate his parent’s home to this day. Those pieces will forever be cherished as they are just one of the many true talents Bill possessed. He was funny, a sweetheart, a truly great man, and we will miss him deeply and greatly until we are all reunited. Yet we will remember him every day in the lake, the land, and the beautiful outdoors he so adored.

Bill is survived by his parents, William Dale Goodrich Sr. and Brenda Rudisill Goodrich of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; a brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Cheryl Goodrich of Pittsboro, North Carolina; a sister and brother-in-law, Leigh-Taylor and Mike Austin of Huntersville, North Carolina; his two nieces, whom he adored, Tabitha Ann Goodrich and Emma Taylor Austin; and the love of his life, Leigh Anne Clegg of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Rest in peace, Bill, until we all meet again on that beautiful lake in heaven.

A graveside service will be held at Mount Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery on Friday February 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. On the north side of Parker Road, just east of the intersection of Parker Road with Mt. Carmel Church Road, 1.4 miles south on Mt. Carmel Church Road from its intersection with 15-501 south of Chapel Hill.

Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill is assisting the family.