William Winthrop Kingsbury

William Winthrop Kingsbury, AIA, age 81, passed away peacefully at Duke Hospital on November 9, 2023. He was born in Albany, New York, and grew up in Valley Stream, New York, and New Canaan, Connecticut. He was always called “Bill” by his friends and family. His talent in art and architecture became evident at an early age. He graduated from New Canaan High School in 1960.

Bill was awarded a Batchelor of Architecture Degree (a five-year curriculum) from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, in 1965. He met Garrie Elizabeth Lineberger there in 1963, and they were married in September 1965. Together for almost 60 years, Bill and Garrie shared many happy memories.

Bill was a member of the American Institute of Architects. He was active in the Durham Association of Architects and the Durham/Raleigh Chapter of the Construction Specification Institute. He served as an officer, including one term as President of both of these organizations.

Bill began his career in architecture with Cummings and McRady, Inc., an architecture and engineering firm in Charleston, South Carolina, where he worked on military facilities, commercial buildings and other projects. Moving to Connecticut in 1969, Bill obtained his Architecture License and NCARB Certification in 1971. He worked on many projects in Connecticut and other parts of New England, including churches, schools, a shopping center, bank building, and an innovative low-cost housing project.

Bill and Garrie settled in Durham with their two young boys (Billy and Tim) in January of 1976. His first project in Durham, working for Architect John D. Latimer, involved completion of drawings and supervision of construction of Durham City Hall. Among other projects, Bill was responsible for the design and construction of the Rolling Hills Housing Site for Seniors.

Bill joined Nicholson Associates, Architects in downtown Durham in February 1978. There he enjoyed work for many repeat clients including Duke University, North Carolina Central University, the Duke University Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center. Buildings included the Nello Teer Engineering Library at Duke University; Oakleigh at Durham, a chemical dependency treatment center; and the Chapel for Murdock Center at Butner.

In 1987, Bill established his sole proprietor architectural practice -- William W. Kingsbury, Architect. This began at home in the family dining room and soon spread to other rooms as business grew. Within a year the Kingsbury family moved to a larger home to accommodate Bill’s growing practice. The new location, a contemporary home (now a Historic Site) built in 1950, was the former home of the Evans Family (Emanuel “Mutt” Evans served six terms as Mayor of Durham). He began using AutoCad for all drawing work in 1989. Bill’s architectural practice flourished here for 23 years until his retirement. The many projects included numerous renovations/additions (including the Brain Imaging Center) for Duke Medical Center, work for North Carolina State Parks, and numerous other State and private buildings.

Sponsored by Lion Joe Kennedy, Jr., Bill joined the Durham Lions Club, in 1993. Along with other Lions, Bill volunteered much time to raise money in support of the blind by selling Christmas trees, helping with

golf tournaments, pancake suppers, concessions at UNC games, and other activities. Bill served as Secretary of the Durham Lions Club for 14 years. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award in 2009 and the Achievement Award in 2019. He was also honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow, illustrating a significant commitment to humanitarian service.

Bill’s three great loves were his Family (including many dogs and two cats); architecture and building; and sports cars. He enjoyed growing things in his vegetable garden and planting trees. Nearly everything he planted soon sprouted and grew happily. He also cared deeply about protection and preservation of the Eno River.

Bill served for several years as an at-large member on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Westpoint, Inc., an advisory group to the City of Durham for the development and operation of the public park along the Eno River. Bill chaired the West Point Committee for Grounds and Water Control that prepared the Program for the Development of a Master Plan, Eno River City Park in 1980.

Bill’s faith coincided most closely with the Unitarian Universalist Church. Before moving to Durham, he was a member of the Unitarian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stratford, Connecticut. In Durham Bill participated in the formation of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Church and was active in this congregation for many years. He was responsible for the complete renovation of ERUUF’s first building in 1977.

In 2000, Bill helped to establish All Souls Church Unitarian Universalist in Durham, a church committed to the re-creation and restoration of “the undivided human family.” This small church group, active for more than a decade, strived to be a multiracial, multicultural, antiracist, non-oppressive and diverse religious community.

Bill is survived by his wife Garrie Lineberger Kingsbury; son Tim Winthrop Kingsbury (Rayna Rowell) and Grandson Isaac Andrew Kingsbury, Cary, NC; sister Ann Burrows Smith (Curt), Manchester, NH; and brother Peter Van Brocklin Kingsbury (Robin), Pittsburgh, PA. He is preceded in death by his parents William Andrew Kingsbury and Elisabeth Dewhirst Kingsbury; sister Mary Beth (infant); and by his son William Andrew Kingsbury II in 1997.

Bill was a man of few words. He was kind and humble, always honest and dependable. He loved life. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held in Spring of 2024, date to be determined.

The Kingsbury Family is being assisted by Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, the Family requests that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity or to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.hall-wynne.com.