William Joseph “Bill” Allman

William Joseph “Bill” Allman, Morganton businessman and public servant, died on May 8, 2022, at Grace Ridge Retirement Community after a period of declining health. He was 88.

Bill was born June 13, 1933 in Morganton. His parents were Thomas Manly Allman and Viola Mabe Allman. He grew up in Morganton on Vine Arden Road, among his extended family. He attended public schools in Morganton before serving in the U.S. Army from 1950-51, where he was selected to the 2nd U.S. Army All-Star Softball Team and played in the Army Softball National Tournament.

He returned to Morganton after an honorable discharge in 1953 and graduated from Morganton High School as President of the Senior Class. He married Margaret Kincaid, on June 9, 1956. During this period, he also went to work in the plant at Great Lakes Carbon Corporation and enrolled in and later graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory.

As his career progressed at Great Lakes, he also became increasingly involved in serving the Morganton and Burke County communities. He was active in coaching youth baseball for twenty years. In addition, he went on to serve on the Burke County Board of Health; the Board of Trustees for Western Piedmont Community College (which he chaired); the Burke Mission Station; Smart Start; and the installation team for the Ben Long Fresco. In addition, he was an active member of North Morganton United Methodist Church, where he chaired the Building Committee for the current church facility. He retired from Great Lakes Carbon Corporation as the Assistant Comptroller.

In 1963, he was named Morganton’s “Young Man of the Year,” and in 1999, “Morganton Man of the Year.” Because of his long-time work with Habitat for Humanity, the city named a street “Allman Court” in his honor. On November 18, 2021, Bill was inducted into the Burke County Sports Hall of Fame. On April 19, 2022 he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest honor for service to the common good. These and other honors reflect just how well-known and well-respected Bill was across all sections of Burke County and North Carolina.

Bill was widely known for his love of sports of all kinds, especially Tar Heel football and basketball. He was a devoted family man and church leader. In addition, having known poverty in childhood, Bill was dedicated to caring for and helping others, especially those less fortunate. In many ways, his life was defined by giving.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his older sister, Martha Allman Morrison.

Survivors include Margaret Kincaid Allman, the love of his life and wife of 65 years; beloved daughter, Lynn and her husband Terry Roberts, of Asheville; beloved grandchildren, William Keith (Holly), and Jennifer Keith, all of Charlotte and nephews Bill Morrison of Atlanta and Tommy Morrison (Betsy) of Raleigh. He was the epitome of a loving father and grandfather.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Grace Ridge Retirement Community for their kindness to Bill, as well as the many Grace Ridge residents who befriended and supported him. Additionally, we would like to thank the staff and members of North Morganton United Methodist Church, as well as the many people from across Burke County who were so good to Bill.

A memorial service will be held on May 13th at 1:00 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with the Reverends Burt Williams and Paul Christy presiding. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Morganton United Methodist Church or to Grace Ridge Endowment Fund at Grace Ridge Retirement Community.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.