William Smith Grothe, Jr., 76, of Calabash passed away August 10, 2021. He was born in York, PA, on April 15, 1945 to William Smith Grothe and Margaret Evelyn Railing Grothe. He was a 1965 graduate of Thaddeus Stevens Trade School in Lancaster, PA and served his country for a span of more than twenty years on active duty and active reserve. He served in Vietnam, on nine ships, and at three shore stations, before retiring in April, 1989, as a Senior Chief Boiler Technician.

In civilian employment, he was a Boiler Plant Operator for fourteen years in the Fort Belvoir, VA and Washington, DC Areas. He retired and moved to Calabash, NC, where he was active in serving his  community in various capacities as a member of the South Brunswick Interchurch Council, Chairperson of the South Brunswick County CROP Hunger Walk, and President of Cedar Tree Subdivision Property Owners Association. He was also involved in the After School Tutoring Program at Union Elementary School.

He was a member of Christ Church in Wayside, MD, and St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Shallotte, NC, where he served as Junior and Senior Warden and assisted with the 2^nd Helpings Program. He was a long-time member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, and a life-time member of VFW Post 7288, DAV, Veterans Administration Assn., and American Legion Post 503.  

Surviving are his loving wife, Ruth Ann Pilkerton Campbell; daughter, Allicia Nichole Rose (Michael); son, Willliam S. Grothe, III, (Pamela); step-children, Joseph Lawrence Campbell (Sue) and Timothy Craig Campbell (Albanie); grandchildren, Katie Rose, Victoria Rose, Savannah Campbell Greene (Michael), Emmie Wynn Campbell, Reid Campbell, Skyler Smith, Alyssa Campbell, Tori Lynn Campbell, Grayson Grothe and Luca Grothe; and sister, Ruth Evelyn Linker.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, August 28, 2021, at St. James Episcopal Church, 4941 Main Street, Shallotte, NC 28470.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Christ Church, Wayside, Cemetery Fund,  P. O. Box 177, Newburg, MD 20664 or St. James The Fisherman Episcopal Church, Buildings and Grounds Fund, P. O. Box 68, Shallotte, NC 28459