FAREWELL TO A FRIEND

Many people were saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Prestage; certainly the entire membership of Coharie Country Club. Bill was a nationally known icon in the world of agribusiness. Along with Marsha and their sons he grew their business; but just as importantly, nurtured the communities in which those businesses operate. Bill’s success as a businessman and a philanthropist was because he had a vision and saw promise. Some seventeen years ago Coharie Country Club was in dire financial condition. While not the first time, the situation was unusually serious. After conversations with a very small group of concerned members, Bill and his family provided resources to form a Limited Liability Company. This company assumed the debt of the Club, made necessary and long delayed capital improvements, and provided extraordinarily generous financial terms into the future. Bill did so because he had a vision and saw promise. He viewed the Club as being an important part of the broader community. Today the Club has achieved financial stability, has added members, and now has a golf course that can once again host high-level championship golf. Bill was proud of these changes. While members appreciate what Bill did for the Club, he is appreciated more as a person. Bill was known and appreciated by many famous people, but a person did not have to be famous to be known and appreciated by Bill. What members did appreciate is being greeted by the warm smile, the firm handshake, the eye contact, and the kind comment. That is the blessing we appreciate the most.