A young attorney, William E. “Gene” Carter (1930−2002) and his wife, Leslie, came to Hayesville in 1955 and started a law practice with Tom Gray. Gene is remembered as a caring compassionate person who helped the less fortunate. In his early practice, he labored diligently for low-income earners by building sixteen housing units needed to qualify them for Social Security benefits. He treated everyone as equals, no matter what their racial, social, economic, or political affiliation. In fact, both political parties used him as their County Attorney. Tom Gray and Gene were a team as attorney and developer in working through local organizations to improve the County’s economy. Posthumously, in 2005, the Clay County Commissioners and the Department of Transportation dedicated the William “Gene” Carter Memorial Bridge, in honor for his work in helping develop Clay County. The bridge spans the Hiawassee River on U.S. Highway 64, east of the intersection with NC Highway 64.
Uploading ....