Steve Copulsky
Chair, NC Sierra Club
It is with great sadness that we tell you that Bill Gupton passed away on June 16 after struggling with advanced lung cancer for several months. Bill has been an extraordinary force for the Sierra Club here in North Carolina for many years. He was a leader for the Central Piedmont Group and the North Carolina Chapter. The spirit, passion and dedication that he brought to the Sierra Club in our fight to protect the environment will not be forgotten.
Bill’s roles in recent years included serving as Chair of the Central Piedmont Group and Vice-Chair of the NC Chapter. He served two terms on the Chapter Steering Committee as well as serving on the Chapter Conservation and Outings Committees.
Last year, Bill took on a leadership role in our celebrations recognizing the importance of the 30th anniversary of the North Carolina Wilderness Act and the 50th anniversary of the national Wilderness Act. He was a lifetime member of the Sierra Club.
In Charlotte, Bill led the battle against ReVenture, an environmentally unfriendly biomass energy project. He also led numerous service outings in the RibbonWalk Nature Preserve and fought for clean air and clean water regulations in the city and county. In 2013, Bill was recognized as Charlotte’s Overall Outstanding Leader by Sustain Charlotte at the organization’s annual awards presentation. He was a strong supporter of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign and a tireless advocate in support of clean renewable energy from solar power.
Bill was the leader who we could count on to rally the troops. He played a key role in organizing North Carolinians to attend the 2013 “Forward on Climate” rally in Washington, D.C., and the 2014 “People’s Climate March” in New York City and he organized and led countless rallies in Charlotte.
Bill will be deeply missed by his many friends in the Sierra Club and the environmental community. A gathering in celebration of Bill’s life has been scheduled for Thursday, June 25th at 7pm at RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, 4601 Nevin Road, Charlotte. Bill’s wife, Nancy Yudell, has suggested that contributions in Bill’s memory be made to the NC Sierra Club Chapter.