William Segers

Born in Monroe, NC on December 9, 1941 Departed on July 28, 2017 and resided in Hendersonville, TN Life Celebration Service: Hendersonville First Presbyterian Church Room: ChapelWednesday August 2, 2017 1:00pmVisitation: Wednesday August 2, 2017 2:00pm to 3:00pm

William D. (Bill) Segers died peacefully at home on July 28, 2017, with those he most loved nearby. He left behind family, friends, colleagues, and a community richer for his seven decades among them.
Born December 9, 1941, in Monroe, North Carolina, Bill was the first son of Mary Falls Steele and William Bougin Segers. He attended Western Carolina University, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and where he met the love of his life, Ruth Bates of Murphy, North Carolina. Bill and Ruth were married on May 26, 1962, and were inseparable soul mates for more than fifty years. Graduating in 1964, Bill became a management trainee for Sears, Roebuck & Co. and moved around the South as he advanced in his career. While in Gastonia, North Carolina, in 1964, his daughter Caroline Steele Segers (Shockley) was born. After stints in Winter Park, Florida, Johnson City, Tennessee, and Burlington, North Carolina, Bill and Ruth moved to Hendersonville in 1972 and lived there over 45 years. After holding management positions with other Middle Tennessee firms, Bill went to work for Key Oil Company, where he served in petroleum sales and continued working until just a few weeks ago. His dedication to service and genuine interest in his customers led to many friendships that he cherished.
When his grandsons were born in 1998 (Connor) and 2001 (Graham), Bill showed his genius for the role of grandfather. He was his grandsons' mentor, friend, and co-conspirator at every stage of their lives, from toddler to young adult. From wobbly bike rides at the beach punctuated by frequent snack breaks, to long discussions of classic cars and History Channel marathons, "Buddy" and his boys were always up to something.
Devoted to his church, Bill served as an Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville and was active in the Connection group for many years. He built deep and lasting friendships, both in and outside the church and particularly enjoyed annual fall hiking weekends in the Smokies. He also spent many days with Ruth and her brother and sister and their large families, including legendary Bates family reunions in Murphy featuring cabins filled with children, dogs, and laughter at the top of crooked mountain roads.
Despite his own health complications, Bill and Ruth remained active in their last years, traveling to Scotland, England, France, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012. When Ruth's own health declined, Bill supported her and her work with the ABC breast cancer support program at the Hendersonville YMCA. Although her death in December 2017 left him bereft, he moved to Nashville and became even more of a fixture in his grandsons' lives, attending their basketball games and swimming matches and watching proudly as Connor graduated in May 2017. Supported by family, old and new friends, and generous caregivers from Vanderbilt University Hospital and Alive Hospice, his last months were filled with the people and things he loved most.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bougin and Mary Falls Segers and his wife, Virginia Ruth Bates Segers. He is survived by his brother David Segers (Carolyn) of Anderson, SC, daughter Caroline Shockley (Gary), grandsons Connor and Graham Shockley, sisters-in-law Carolyn Bates Whitmire of Atlanta and Sandra Bates of Hendersonville, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 1:00 p.m with reception of friends to follow at the church. A private family burial will take place after the visitation. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville.
Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home, & Cremation Center are honored to celebrate the life of William Segers. hendersonvillefh.com, 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy. Hendersonville, TN 37075, (615) 824-3855