William Louis Poteat, PhD, 71, of Columbia, loving husband of Cheryl Griffith, died Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of the late Dr. Hubert McNeill Poteat, Jr. and Jeanne Leege Poteat. His childhood was spent in Smithfield, NC and Fire Island, NY having much fun with his two siblings. He attended Asheville School for Boys and graduated from Smithfield High School. He was a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray Medical School with a PhD in Anatomy. Dr. Poteat was related to a long line of Wake Forest faculty and graduates. His grandfather Dr. Hubert McNeill Poteat was a Latin professor and his great-grandfather and namesake Dr. William Louis Poteat was President of Wake Forest College and a Biology professor. Dr. Poteat began his rewarding career of teaching medical students Gross Anatomy in 1970 at the Medical College of Virginia. In 1974 he came to the University of South Carolina to assist in the establishment of the School of Medicine, teaching there until his retirement. He received seven Outstanding Teacher Awards from MCV and USCSOM which were a testament to his love of teaching. All of his physicians were former medical students. Billy loved golf which produced some playing success, most notably winning the 1983 Carolinas Open as an amateur. After his retirement from teaching he played professional golf on the mini tours in the US and South Africa. He established his golf business Pro's Yardage Caddy measuring golf courses and creating yardage books of courses throughout the United States and internationally on his Apple computer. He developed his own system of measuring and drawing every hole in detail. He became a golf rules official and worked with the City Golf Tournament and South Carolina Golf Association. The Masters and Heritage weeks were his favorite time of year. Billy loved all things golf and Wake Forest. There were always fond memories of his Wake Forest days, of his special friendship bond with his KA fraternity brothers that has lasted through the years, dancing to beach music, and demonstrating hook slides. Billy was an avid Wake Forest and SC Gamecock sports fan and attended as many games as possible. He never met a stranger and will be missed by his family and friends and all who knew him. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend. He adored his great-nephews, Lawson, Jerred, Charlton, and Caden; and great-niece Paisley. He was their "Grandpa Billy."

Dr. Poteat is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Cheryl Griffith of Columbia; sister, Barbara Poteat King (Mike Davidian) of Smithfield, NC; brother, Dr. Robert McNeill Poteat (Hannah) of Raleigh, NC; nieces and nephews, Hannah Gilliam Poteat (Mike), Morgan Poteat Corbett (Brian), Lauren Mikell Choate (Will), Heath Griffith (Jada), Shane Griffith (Lisa) Stacey Griffith Manney (Mike) and Holly Griffith Bruhl (Mike); great-nieces and nephews, Charles, Essie, and Louise Corbett, Lawson, Charlton, Jerred, Caden, and Jenna Griffith, Paisley Choate, and Elizabeth Griffith Owens (Vernon); sister-in-law, Debby Griffith Hodges (Harland); brother-in-law, Charles Griffith (Helen); and his four-legged child, Ruby. Dr. Poteat was preceded in death by his son, William Louis Poteat, Jr.; and a nephew, Hubert McNeil Poteat, III.

The memorial service for Dr. Poteat will be held at 3 o'clock, Monday, April 11th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia. Following the service, a reception in celebration of Billy's life will be held at Wildewood Country Club. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 2 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to William Louis Poteat Scholarship Fund or Hubert McNeill Poteat III Fund at Wake Forest University, PO Box 7309, Winston-Salem, NC 27109; or SC Junior Golf Foundation, PO Box 286, Irmo, SC 29063; or to the charity of one's choice. Cheryl appreciates so much the love and support shown to she and Billy during his illness as well as the wonderful care provided by his special physicians Dr. Ruben Mayer and Dr. March Seabrook.