Dr. Charles William Greene, Sr.

Charles William Greene, Sr.,PhD died peacefully in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on December 24, 2023. Charles was born on January 12, 1939 in Waynesville, NC,growing up in Canton, NC . He graduated from Canton High School in 1957 where he was president of the student body, editor of the annual staff, and played varsity basketball and baseball. As the recipient of the Champion Paper Foundation Scholarship, he graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Physics. Receiving his Masters and Doctorate degrees at the University of Florida, Charles was the first student to receive a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He also attended graduate school at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, served as a Chaplain at Baylor Medical Center and was on the staff of Lavon Drive Baptist Church in Garland, Texas where he directed the financing and building of a new worship center seating 1,000 people. As a Senior Experimental Engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach, Florida, he worked on rocket- and jet-engine testing. He later worked as a Senior Research Engineer at Milliken and Company in Spartanburg, SC, where he was awarded several design patents. Later, he worked as Vice President at Proctor and Schwartz in Lexington, NC. He retired as Vice President from Windsor & Jerauld Manufacturing Company in Concord, NC. He was an adjunct mathematics professor at Piedmont International University (Carolina University). After retiring from industry, Charles then pursued a life-long dream of teaching high school mathematics and did so for seven years in surrounding public schools, retiring again in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl McCracken Greene Swanger and William Alonzo Greene. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Greene Carter; and stepfather, Roy Lee Swanger. He is survived by his wife of 33 years and childhood sweetheart, Jean Burton McClure Greene; daughter, Dr. Kristen Greene van den Meiracker (Timothy); sons, Dr. Charles William Greene, Jr. (Melanie), and Michael Andrew Greene (Kristin); three grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

A service celebrating Charles’ life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Grace Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, with Rev. Jim Bush officiating. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 3305 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com