William Friday embodied the best of the state he loved Posted Oct 13, 2012 Yet it was not his prominence or his influence or even his wisdom that made him the state’s most significant and beloved public leader of his generation. It was those qualities combined with his genuine modesty, his sincere interest in the people of this state, whether they were governors or peach growers at the farmers market. Friday treated all people the same. (Raleigh News & Observer)