William Peele Wimberley

William “Bill” Peele Wimberley passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020.  Bill was born on August 26, 1930, at the historic St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, NC, to the late Richard Elias and Laura Peele Wimberley. He spent his first five years of life in Henderson, NC.  The family moved to Raleigh in 1935, where his father established Central Drug Store on the corner of Swain and Davie Streets.

After Bill graduated from Washington High School, he earned his B. S. in Chemistry in 1951 from Virginia Union University.  In 1954, he earned a B. S. in Pharmacy at Temple University in Philadelphia. After serving as a US Army medic in Germany from 1954-1956, Bill earned an M. S. in Chemistry from North Carolina Central University in 1958.  Although accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Bill deferred further education for marriage and entrepreneurship.

Bill’s pharmacy career began when he worked with his father at Central Drug Store and continued when he worked with Dr. York D. Garrett, Jr. at Garrett-Parker Drug in Durham, NC.  Bill later purchased that store from Dr. Garrett and kept it until it was torn down as part of the Urban Renewal project in 1963.  Later in 1963, Bill bought Community Drug Store in Raleigh from Dr. Thomas Hamlin and ran that store until his retirement at the end of December 2002.

Bill served on the State of North Carolina ‘s Peer Review Committee, Division of Medical Assistance for many years. He worked quietly and effectively as an advocate for those less fortunate, lending an ear and a contribution to many worthy causes.

After retirement, he served Meals on Wheels of Wake County daily for close to eleven years, packing meals, delivering them, and helping those who needed assistance during his stops.  He was also committed to the NAACP.  Bill was active in the Old North State Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Society and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He was a faithful member for eighty-four years at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC.

Bill was married to Cliffornia “Cliff” Grady for more than 57 years until her death in November 2015.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Carmen and Rick Cauthen; son, William Peele Wimberley, Jr.; granddaughters, Kena and Loren Cauthen; and special daughter, Joselyn Williams, all of Raleigh.  Siblings Ruth E. Phillips and Richard E. Wimberley, Jr., preceded him in death.

Many thanks to his caregivers Willie Moore, Clara Sanchez, the staffs at The Cardinal at North Hills and Waltonwood Cary Parkway for their loving care over the last several years, as well as the compassionate caregivers at Transitions Lifecare Hospice Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels of Wake County.  Send memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels of Wake County, 1001 Blair Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27603-2030.

 A 12:00 PM Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2020 at First Baptist Church, 101 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC.  Prior to the beginning of the service, there will be a family visitation hour starting at 11:00 AM, 

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