Murphy – One of Cherokee County’s most notable citizens over the last seven decades has passed away.
William Frank “Bill” Forsyth Jr., 79, died peacefully in his sleep Thursday. He was a lifelong resident of Murphy.
While Forsyth was a U.S. Army veteran and well known as a banker and financial professional, he became even better know for his community service.
“He liked to say that he had held every job there was in a bank – from sweeping the floors to cashier to president – and he brought that grounded, hands‑on understanding to every leadership role he took on,” according to his obituary.
Forsyth served as the chair of Murphy Electric Power Board and held leadership and board roles with Murphy Medical Center, the Cherokee County Economic Development Commission, Cherokee County Development Corp., Tennessee Valley Authority, N.C. Rural Center Corporate Partners, John C. Campbell Folk School and Western North Carolina Public Radio. He also served as chair of the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees.
“Bill served Murphy, Cherokee County and North Carolina in nearly every capacity. He was a friend and next-door neighbor at the lake as well as downtown,” said Noland Smith, a former Murphy council member. “I will miss him greatly. Bill was wise and a great asset to western North Carolina.”
Forsyth was perhaps best known for his efforts to bring jobs, infrastructure and economic opportunity to Cherokee County. Retired Emerson vice president Curtis Brown said Forsyth was key to bringing the Emerson Electric, Span-on Tools and Western Forge plants to the area.
“He had contacts in Raleigh from the governor on down. A lot of industry and business people used Bill that way, and he was glad to help. Few people in western North Carolina had that kind of pull,” Brown said. “He added value to the boards he was on and usually wound up being the chairman.”
A story from his youth demonstrates Forsyth’s strong will and determination. He suffered from polio as a child and was once rushed to the hospital in Asheville, where he spent a few days in an iron lung. However, he would have none of that.
“Bill told me he just made up his mind one day that he wasn’t going to be crippled, then did everything twice that the doctors told him to,” Brown said. “And in just a few years, he was playing on the Murphy High School football team.”
Forsyth and his wife, Marion, have also been supporters of many local charities and nonprofits. Forsyth’s father, Frank Forsyth, was president of Citizens Band & Trust and served in the state Senate from 1958-65.
A celebration of Bill Forsyth’s life will be held in the early summer.