William H. "Bill" Melson Jr.

Published in The Tuscaloosa News

on 12/16/2008

Bill Melson accepting his induction into the Alabama Communication Hall of Fame, Oct. 25, 2007

TUSCALOOSA —William H. "Bill" Melson, Jr., age 81, of Northport, Ala., died December 14, 2008, at home. Services will be held Wednesday December 17, 2008, at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with Rev. David Meginniss officiating. Reception to follow after the service in Randall Hall at the church with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Eva Pauline "Polly" Bullard Melson, and his parents, Henry and Maude Melson.

Survivors include his daughters, Candy M. McCarter and Dawn M. Brown of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and his sisters, Patricia M. Lawson of Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Marian M. Moore of Newhall, California.

Bill was born August 18, 1927, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where he attended public schools and joined the Navy (service 1944-1946). He then attended Louisburg Junior College where he met and married Polly Bullard and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He then went on to complete his BA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating with honors, he began working on an advanced degree in dramatic arts and worked with The Lost Colony outdoor drama summer production in Manteo, N.C.

He left Chapel Hill to pursue a career in broadcasting at WBT/WBTV in Charlotte, N.C. He served as radio production manager, program supervisor, sales representative, personnel manager, and assistant vice president. He remained with Jefferson Standard Broadcasting Company until 1965, when he returned to the University of North Carolina for a Masters in communications and doctorate in social psychology. He joined the faculty of UNC Department of Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures in 1969, rising to full professor in 1974. He also served as chairman of the department and as Assistant Dean of the UNC Graduate School.

He became Dean of the University of Alabama in College of Communication in 1976 and lead the school to new heights, including the beginning of a new Phd. Program. In addition, he directed the start up of WUAL-FM, the campus public radio station. In 1983 Dr. Melson stepped down as Dean, but continued to teach in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations until 1992. In the same year he retired and gave the commencement speech at the college's graduation ceremony.

In retirement he enjoyed gardening, reading, and listening to classical music. He was active in the church and volunteered in the community.

On October 25, 2007, Bill was inducted into the Communication Hall of Fame for the College of Communication and Information Sciences for his contributions to the College of Communication.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church of Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama College of Communication, or to Alabama Public Radio in his memory.