In Memoriam William M. Wilcox, IV

In Memoriam:
William M. Wilcox IV
December 26, 1952 - April 16, 2026 

Maynard Nexsen lost an invaluable member of its team on April 16, 2026. William (“Bill”) Wilcox died after valiantly fighting two different cancers over the last several years.  Bill will always be an inspiration for how he faced his illness with courage, dignity and grace. 

Bill attended both Washington and Lee University and Miami University, Ohio, graduating with a B.S. in 1975 from Miami University, Ohio.  Bill then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, graduating with a J.D. in 1982. 

Bill joined Adams, Kleemeier, Hagan, Hannah & Fouts, a predecessor to Maynard Nexsen, in 1986.  For 40 years, Bill was an indispensable part of our firm’s corporate and tax practice, leadership and culture.  In fact, Bill was elected as Managing Partner of Adams Kleemeier in 2001. Bill was well loved by his colleagues and clients alike.  He was known to be thoughtful, compassionate, unflappable and hard-working.  He loved practicing law and continued to work, even through illness, until his death. 

Bill was both a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant, which put him in a unique position to give his clients both legal advice and tax advice at the same time.  Bill was an active member of the Tax Section Council of the North Carolina Bar Association and served as Chairman from 2001-2002. He also was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (“NCACPA”). Bill served as a President of the Piedmont Chapter of the NCACPA. 

Bill received many honors during his years of practice, including being named during various years to Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law, and North Carolina Super Lawyers for Tax and Business. 

Despite a heavy workload, Bill made time for charitable work, serving on many boards.  Two of his favorite causes were Hospice and Friends for Early Breast Cancer Detection. 

Bill was a devoted family man.  Bill was married for 48 years to his best friend, Stephanie (“Stevie”) Wilcox. Bill was the proud parent of Ann Louise and was thrilled to see her marry Michael (“Fields”) Fields.  Bill was overjoyed to become a grandfather to Graham William Fields. 

Bill will be sorely missed as a colleague, a mentor, and, most especially, as a friend. 

Community & Professional

• North Carolina Bar Association - Tax Section Council, Chairman (2001-2002)
• Earlier.org

• Corporate/Tax Practice Group Leader for Maynard Nexsen
• North Carolina Bar Association - Tax Section Council, Chairman (2001-2002)

• Named among Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in Business Law; 2012, 2017, 2019
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law (2007-Present) 
• North Carolina Super Lawyers® - Tax, Business (2013-2014, 2016-2017)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
• 2008 Top Impact Law Leaders - Business Leader Magazine, August 2008