The Rev. William R. Rhyne Sr., 63, died November 23, 2005, at the Hospice Home of Alamance-Caswell, in Burlington, North Carolina. He is the son of the late Alfred Leonard and Nella Rudisill Rhyne and was born November 17, 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1964 with B.A. degree. He received a M. Div. from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1968.

Pastor Rhyne served at Bethel Lutheran Church, Salisbury, North Carolina, 1968-75; and Low’s Lutheran Church, Liberty, North Carolina, 1976-90. He retired due to poor health in October 1990 to Burlington, North Carolina. He served as Vice Pastor at various congregations and also served on the following boards: Lutheran Children’s Home of the South, Lutheran Family Services and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. He was also Dean and Secretary of the Northern District of the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA.

An Eagle Scout himself, he served as a scoutmaster, and coached softball and basketball. He was amember of the Franklin Ellis Lions Club and the Salisbury Optimist Club.

Pastor Rhyne is survived by his wife, Susan Davis Rhyne; daughter Jodi Hall and husband Kenny of Burlington, North Carolina; daughter Sally Davis and husband Wendell of Randleman, North Carolina; son Bill Rhyne, Jr. and wife Heidi of Matthews, North Carolina; brother Ben Rhyne and wife Clara of York, South Carolina; and brother Leonard Rhyne of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren.

Services were held November 28, 2005, at Low’s Lutheran Church in Liberty, North Carolina. Presiding were the Rev. John Lingle, the Rev. David Mielke and the Rev. Dr. Leonard Bolick, bishop of the NC Synod.

Memorials may be made to: Hospice Home of Alamance-Caswell, 918 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215; Low’s Lutheran Church, 2136 NC Highway 61 South, Liberty, NC 27298; or to the charity of one’s choice.