Mr. William Leven Slade

Mr. William Leven Slade of Durham, North Carolina transitioned into eternal rest at the age of 73 years old on Thursday, September 8, 2022. William was born November 29, 1948, in Pinetops, North Carolina to the late Alonzo Leven Slade and Sallie Davis Slade. William and his brothers were raised on a farm by their hardworking and loving parents who instilled values such as a strong work ethic, an unwavering spiritual foundation, personal responsibility and respect. William attended Edgecombe County Schools and graduated from Phillips High School (Battleboro, North Carolina) in 1967. He continued his educational journey at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. While at NCCU, William was a standout athlete and he also excelled as a student. He was the captain of the NCCU's 1st MEAC Team in 1971-1972 and coached as a Graduate Assistant from 1973-74. He was known to be one of the best basketball players to represent the Eagle legacy. He graduated from the distinguished university in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Heath & Physical Education. William also completed his postgraduate studies there. The pride that William possessed for NCCU was deep in his heart. He was a Life Member of the NCCU Alumni Association and served with distinction. At his 50th Induction Ceremony into the Society of Golden Eagles, he reflected on his fond memories as a proud NCCU Alumni: "My favorite campus memory is being a member of the North Carolina Central University Basketball team. It gave me great pride to represent my school as we traveled to other colleges and universities. We might not have won every game, but we were competitive." Reflecting on the values instilled within him as a child, William accepted the charge to become a teacher to make a difference in the lives of youth/young adults. From 1974-2008, Wiilliam was employed by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System serving in various capacities such as: Basketball Coach, Special Populations Coordinator, JTPA Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Driver Education Instructor. His dedicated work among students and colleagues was recognized and he received numerous honors including the Outstanding Teacher Award (Chapel Hill High School) and Distinguished Service Award. He retired after 34 years of devoted service. William's faith kept him grounded. At an early age, he gave his life to Christ at the United Church of Christ, Franklinton Center, Bricks, North Carolina. He later joined St. Joseph A.M.E. Church in the early 90's and was an active member in good standing. With a desire to continue to serve others, he initially served on the Steward Board and the Kitchen Committee. William was a devoted family man; he was a loving husband, father, Papa Bill, brother, uncle, Brother In-love and friend. He married his beautiful soul mate Gloria Jones on July 27, 1996, which was a. moment in time where he decided to share his life and heart with his true love. Bill and Gloria loved to travel and would frequently attend all the NCCU games and dances where they would dance the night away. He was also a proud father to the late Mark L. Rodgers, Melissa Slade Smith and stepfather to William McGee. William valued education and encouraged his children to do the same. Bill was extremely proud to have two of his children graduate from HBCU's (Mark a graduate of NCCU and Melissa a graduate of NC A&T). Their children were their absolute joy and they blessed William and Gloria with eight beautiful grandchildren: Donald, Shelby, William, Langston, Jason, China, Qayonnah and Camillia. He especially loved being surrounded by his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Alonzo and Sallie Slade, brother Ross D. Slade and son Mark L. Rodgers. William was very socially active and was deeply involved in his community after retirement. In his community, he served as a sports official for more than 25 years. Bill regularly refereed high school and college basketball and softball games. Additionally, he officiated numerous state playoff and state championship games as well as several Division II and III college competitions, including at the CIAA. His hard work was recognized once again, and he received the Outstanding Service and Dedication to Basketball Officiating Award and the Triangle Officials Association. Moreover, he served as a Mason and rose to Master Mason in 1979. As a son of landowners, William valued real estate ownership. Bill served as managing partner in ALSR, LLC, which focused on real estate. Bill managed all of the day-to-day concerns of a group of rental houses and dealt the complexities of the rental business. William was known to be a "Gentle Giant" and a trusted friend to many. There were many days Bill would be found taking a friend to a doctor appointment, fishing with his buddies and brothers, fixing something around the house or vehicle, cooking and entertaining friends and family or advising those when needed. He mentored countless youth and young adults throughout his lifetime and was seen as a second father to many. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife of 26 years, Gloria Jones Slade; one daughter, Melissa Slade-Smith (Bradley) of Greensboro; daughter in love, Reverend Donna Rodgers of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina; stepson, William McGee (Jamee) of Durham, North Carolina; two brothers, Retired Colonel Jimmie Lester Slade (Audrey) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Cornell Slade (Bessie) of Wilmington, North Carolina; eight grandchildren; one aunt, Vernice Slade Carney of Silver Spring, Maryland, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other special people whom he impacted including his God-daughter, Reverend Dr. Patricia Gainer of Greensboro, North Carolina and God-son, Raymond McKoy of Stanford, CA. Public viewing has been scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at Scarborough & Hargett Celebration of Life Center, Inc., 309 N Queen Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701. Services to celebrate the life of Mr. William Leven Slade will take place on Friday, September 16, 2022, at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707; Family Visitation 11:00 a.m., Celebration of Life Service 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Markham Memorial Gardens. The Celebration of Life Service will be streamed live via: -the St. Joseph AME Church's website at https://www.stjosephame.org/watch -YouTube St Joseph AME Church -Facebook St Joseph AME Church In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations to either North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Foundation to benefit basketball operations, or to the Slade Family Scholarship Foundation. If you would like to make a monetary donation to NCCU Foundation, access this link and follow the instructions: Giving Online | North Carolina Central University (nccu.edu). Or, if you prefer to mail a check, complete the attached form and follow the instructions to mail-in a donation to NCCU Foundation. You can mail a donation made payable to NCCU Foundation, Inc. OR Slade Family Scholarship Foundation to: Jimmie Slade 14426 Colonel Fenwick Ct. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Please put in memory of 'William L. Slade' on the memo line. Please keep William’s wife Gloria, and the entire Slade family in your thoughts and in your prayers.

Mr. William Leven Slade

November 29, 1948 - September 8, 2022