William "Bill" Francis Futterer III, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at Transitions LifeCare, Raleigh, after an extended five-month illness with congestive heart failure.
Born on March 4, 1950 in Rockingham, he was the son of the late William Francis Futterer Jr. and Mary Warrick Futterer.
Bill built a creative, successful and vibrant career in the marketing industry. It was a true testament to his passion for taking a vision and turning it into a reality. Not only did he foster his own ideas, but Bill also shared his expertise with others and helped them fulfill their dreams and goals.
His many successes included being hired by the NFL and appointed president of the Cleveland Browns Trust where he helped the NFL bring the Cleveland Browns back to Cleveland — the very first of its kind, along with the development and building of the new Browns Stadium which opened in 1999.
In addition, Bill was involved in real estate workouts and development in Charlotte and in the west coast of Florida along with product marketing with NASCAR McDonald's, Cheerwine, Jiffy Lube and many others.
He was a major supporter and influencer for the performing arts, including promoting “Lollipop Family Concerts” with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, drawing in and exposing young people to classical music. Bill’s passion for beach music allowed him to share his talents in music production and marketing with such musical greats as Johnny Barker, producing beach music’s hit song “Cool Breeze;” American soul singer, songwriter and guitarist Curtis Mayfield; lead singer Johnny Barker and Barry Duke of the Catalinas; and lead singer Jackie Gore of the Embers.
During Bill’s younger years, his father owned and operated the local radio station in Rockingham where he had the unique opportunity to be on WAYN 900 AM Radio. He was the host and DJ of the radio show called “Platter Chatter” and after 50 years reintroduced the radio show and named it “Platter Chatter Legacy.”
During his time on radio, Bill had the chance of a lifetime interviewing both baseball greats Mickey Mantle and Pete Rose which provided an incredible opportunity to the radio listeners and community of Rockingham. After graduating high school, he went off to college and attended the University of Chapel Hill and was a member of the Kappa Signa Fraternity. During this time, Bill made many lifelong friends and had a special bond with his fraternity brothers.
Bill met the love of his life, Yvonne Harrison, in March of 1974 and the two married on Dec. 3, 1978, having shared 45-plus years of marriage together. His career enabled the two of them opportunities to embark on both national and international travel with one of their favorite places being Paris, France, along with other places such as Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Together they lived and spent time in Charlotte, Cleveland, Ohio, Venice, Florida, and Clayton and Pinehurst, where they had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people and nurture many special friendships.
Bill was hired by the NFL to serve as president of the Cleveland Browns Trust from 1996-1998. During this term, he reported to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and then Commissioner Rodger Goodell. During this time in his career, Bill worked closely with Browns alumni, national and local media, the corporate community and most importantly, the Browns’ fans. The result of the effort between the NFL and the Cleveland Browns Trust was a franchise that sold for a North American record and the club that had the most season ticket holders in the franchise’s history.
Upon completion of the Cleveland Browns project, Bill founded Futterer Partners LLC. The firm’s focus was on communications, marketing and sales work targeting the sports and entertainment industries. The lengthy list of clients highlights the broad scope of work the boutique firm had been able to accrue.
Some notable clients include: the state of North Carolina for its 100th celebration of the First Flight; consulting work with the sale of PBA; media management and sponsorship sales for the race team partly owned by FOX Broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Terry Bradshaw.
Management included a multi-year Adidas national mobile marketing campaign and sponsorship sales for JR Motorsports, IMG and Commerce Casino. The firm secured multiple site sponsorships for the production of the well-known IMG-owned World’s Strongest Man television show. The firm had also executed media training, sanctioning body consultation, licensing deals and general marketing work for both start-up and existing companies.
Bill is survived by his wife, Yvonne, of 45 years and his beloved Shih-Tzu, ACE; sister, Mary Julian Futterer Morgan of Alexandria, Virginia; brother, the Rev. John Windus Futterer and wife Anne of Albemarle; niece, Anne Carlon Futterer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; aunt, Tinka Warrick Nuttall of Rockingham; sister-in-law, Susan B. Harrison of Wendell; many cousins, extended family, and cherished friends.
A celebration of life service in Bill’s honor will be held at the Richmond County Community College Cole Auditorium on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 1: p.m. where we will recognize and celebrate what would have been Bill’s 75th birthday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Way of Richmond County, P.O. Box 153, Rockingham, NC 28380; 919-997-2173; untidedwayrichmondnc.net in Bill’s honor. Your generosity will help provide essential resources, services, and opportunities that will make a lasting impact on the lives of Richmond County's children in need, a special focus of his and Yvonne’s.
Bill’s ability to enter a room and find a connection with each person he encountered, his creative mind, charm and character will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the opportunity to know him.
Arrangements are provided by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Wake Forest.
www.cswfuneralhome.com
