William Brantley Aycock (born 1915) is an American educator who served as chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) from 1957 until 1964 and is the retired Kenan professor of law at UNC's School of Law. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is the eleventh-oldest institution of higher education (and the oldest public institution) in the United States. ...

A native of Lucama, North Carolina, Aycock served the University of North Carolina for nearly 40 years from his first faculty appointment in the UNC-CH School of Law in 1948 to his retirement as Kenan professor in 1985. He was named chancellor in 1957 and led the university in that capacity until 1964. Lucama is a town located in Wilson County, North Carolina. ...

A 1948 graduate of the UNC-CH School of Law, Aycock was first in his class and editor-in-chief of the North Carolina Law Review. He also holds a master’s degree in history from UNC-CH, and a bachelor’s degree in education from North Carolina State University where he was president of the student body. Prior to entering law school, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and attained the rank of colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public land-grant university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII or World War Two), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... The Silver Star is a United States military decoration and is the third highest medal for valor. ... The Legion of Merit is an awesome award which only the bravest of Americans will ever win. ...

Throughout his academic career, Aycock received many honors and awards. He was the first recipient of the UNC law school's McCall Teaching Award, and eventually received it a total of five times. He was an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa and a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He received the Thomas Jefferson Award from UNC-CH, the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the UNC Law Alumni Association, the William R. Davie Award from the UNC-CH Board of Trustees, the University Award from the UNC Board of Governors, and the Liberty Bell Award from the North Carolina Bar Association. The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an honor society which considers its mission to be fostering and recognizing excellence in undergraduate liberal arts and sciences. ...

In 1990, as a tribute to his chancellorship, the department of family medicine’s building was named for Aycock. This honor was in keeping with his long-standing interest in the field of medicine, and his support of family medicine as a way to address the health-care needs of North Carolina's rural citizens. The William B. Aycock professorship in his name was established by his many friends and is held as an endowment at the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Inc.

Aycock is a cousin of North Carolina Governor Charles Brantley Aycock and is best known to sports fans as the man who hired legendary basketball coach Dean Smith. Charles Aycock (image courtesy NC State Department of Archives and History) Charles Brantley Aycock (1 November 1859 -- 4 April 1912) was the Democratic governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1901 to 1905. ... Dean Edwards Smith (born February 28, 1931) American former head coach of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels mens basketball team from 1961 to 1997. ...