Charlotte, NC

One of the — no, make that the best place for pulled pork barbecue in Charlo … make that the South — has always been Spoon’s Barbecue on South Boulevard.
Sadly, the man who made that piggy paradise has left us. Bill Spoon will be remembered as a kind, considerate man who not only knew how to tempt the taste buds of anyone who came within a mile of Spoon’s Barbecue, but how to touch their hearts with kindness and understanding.
For years, my daddy would stop in there for lunch whenever he was on the road with his Hinson Pump Co. When I was doing an insurance route years later, I’d make a point of lunching there myself … and telling others about this “Palisade Pork.”

HE TREATED EVERYONE THE SAME

Whether you were a homeless man, wandering the streets of near-downtown Charlotte hungrily (you were in for a good sandwich or meal if Bill saw you!) or a millionaire with a gold watch and fancy Mercedes, Bill would treat you the same … with respect and dignity (now, how long has it been since we heard those words?).

If you didn’t have the cash but had a Visa or Mastercard, he wouldn’t take it; he’d tell you just to “pay him next time”. And, if you were trying to pay for a church gathering (churches loved having get-togethers there!), he wouldn’t letcha! It was his “donation”.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Along with his wife, Bill got the rest of the family involved in the restaurant, including sons and, later, grandchildren. They learned the value of hard work and the satisfaction of not only cooking the “perfect ‘cue” but pleasing the thousands of customers that would come through Spoon’s every year.
And they all loved and appreciated him for it.

Funeral services were yesterday at McEwen’s Pineville Chapel, and hundreds turned out to mourn this amazing friend, entrepreneur, cook, husband, father and civic leader. The City of Charlotte is a better place, thanks to the lessons learned from this man who taught us honor and integrity in the workplace …

as well has how a GOOOOD barbecue sandwich oughtta be made!