Deacon William Melton

Deacon William (“Bill”) Melton was born and has spent his entire life in the Diocese of Charlotte. He was raised in the Methodist faith and while attending Belmont Abbey College, he was licensed as a Methodist pastor and served at two small churches in Monroe. He became interested in the Catholic faith during college and converted during his years there, as did his future wife, Laurie Bogardus. They married in 1990. Deacon Melton then enjoyed serving as a volunteer first responder and decided on a career in law enforcement, working for the Charlotte Mecklenburg and Gaston County police departments, Belmont Abbey College’s campus police, and as a private investigator.

Deacon Melton and Laurie have two children: Jacob, a member of the Charlotte Fire Department, and Kathleen, who is married and works in customer service.

As deacon, he serves at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Gastonia and is involved in ministry to seniors, the homebound, the sick, and those at the end of life. He also enjoys spending time with students at the parish school.