William "Bill" Mance

William (“Bill”) Mance passed away January 20, 2025. He was the son of William W. Mance, Sr and Ernestine English Mance. He was born in Darlington S.C and the second child of eight children.

Bill received his education in different schools in SC. He attended Hampton Institute (University) for his undergraduate education and George Washington University where he received his master’s degree.

Bill spent 30 years in the US Army. When he left active duty, he and his family moved to Marion, NC. He became very active in the community serving on various board and community agencies. Thereafter, Bill and Diane moved to Asheville, NC.

In Bill’s professional career, he worked at Baxter Health Care, Western Carolina Industries and Mission Hospital. While living in Asheville Bill was active in several local boards, agencies, and national organizations.

One of Bill’s great loves was his church. Bill and his family attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marion where he served as senior warden several times. When he moved to Asheville, he and Diane attended St. Matthias Episcopal Church. Bill was very active in the Diocese of Western North Carolina serving as Chair and Co- Chair of the Commission to Dismantle Racism for over 30 years. Bill also served on several other boards in the Diocese. He was the treasurer at St. Matthias for over 13 years even at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Kelly Dyane Mance his brothers, Kenneth and Aphonso Mance, his sister Barbara Johnson.

Left to cherish his memories of his kind and thoughtful life is his wife of 52 years, Diane, his daughters, Stacy (Richard) White, Candace Mance, and a foster daughter Shannon Credle Clark. He will be missed terribly by his grandchildren Kimo and Kathryn Washington, Gabrielle White, Nehemiah and Jocelyn Mance and his foster grandson Nicholas Credle, his sisters Janette (Fredrick) Warsaw, Hazel (Lawrence) Jackson, his brothers George and Frank Mance; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville at 11:00 am visitation with the family will be from 10am to 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Chapel Fund.

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