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Born: February 15, 1955 Died: November 19, 2025
Dr. William David Christenbery, beloved father, dentist, and friend, passed away unexpectedly in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Rome, Georgia, the son of Robert E. and Ruth Christenbery. He was a man known for his warmth, integrity, humor, and unwavering dedication to his patients and staff.
Raised in Charlotte, he played football and basketball at Myers Park High School before attending the University of Tennessee, where he majored in Chemistry and briefly pursued graduate studies. He later earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee and dedicated his life to dentistry as owner of Christenbery General Dentistry.
Dr. Christenbery was deeply committed to his patients, always prioritizing comfort and avoiding unnecessary procedures. His staff recalls his unique approach to work—playing guitar during interviews, brightening the office with jokes and music, and treating employees and their families like his own. Dr. Christenbery received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee and his Doctoral of Dentistry Surgery from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. He began his career in dentistry working with his uncle, the late Dr. John O’Brian Christenberry Sr. in Rome, Georgia. He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he continued to learn the practice of dentistry from the late Dr. Gary Heeseman Jr. D.D.S. and the late Dr. Ralph Campbell. D.D.S. He had a lot of respect for these two dentists along with his uncle for laying a strong foundation for a long and distinguished career in Dentistry.
Outside of dentistry, he loved classic rock, martial arts, hunting, cooking the game he harvested, and cheering for the Tennessee Volunteers. He also loved dogs and brought his therapy dog, Lola, to the office daily. Every Tuesday, he enjoyed visiting his favorite local spot, Eddie’s Place.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving daughter, Grace Christenbery, brother, Robert E. Christenbery Jr. and his wife Karen Ann, brother, Stephen D. Christenbery and his partner Cavelle Davolio, nephew, Robert E. Christenbery III and his wife, Susanna along with their two daughters, Ava and Emma, nephew, Charles Christenbery and his wife, Elizabeth and their daughter, Natalie, and his devoted dog, Lola. He leaves behind countless friends, family members, patients, and colleagues who will remember him fondly for his generosity, humor, and devotion to others.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on December 6th, 2025, at Holland Funeral Service in Monroe, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Charlotte in his memory.
Holland Funeral Service is serving the Christenbery Family.
https://www.hollandfuneralservice.com/obituaries/Dr-William-David-Christenbery?obId=46491175&fbclid=IwY2xjawOVrrBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIw
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Dicky Thomson
So sorry to hear about this. David and I were friends since 4th grade at Eastover School. He was also my dentist pretty much since he came back to Charlotte from dental school and started his practice. One of my favorite memories is in 4th grade. The mister potatoe head toy had just come out. Several of us can up with different names for our head. David named me "tomatoe head" and I named him "lemon head". So we would greet each other by this name when we would see each other.! RIP David.
James Ruddell
I remember that David was determined to improve his basketball shooting after his sophomore year at Myers Park. He borrowed a book written by Bill Sharmon on Basketball Shooting. David must have taken that book to heart because he entered his junior year with great shooting form and a deadly outside shot. (It also helped that he had grown about 4" taller.) It is a shame that we did not have a three point shot in those days, because David could flat shoot.We did not stay in touch after high school and it is clear that he went on to succeed in all the important ways.