Southminster residents Bob Buric and Bill Godley are well known within our community for the outstanding work they do in our woodworking shop. They have generously shared their beautifully crafted art with Southminster, so we couldn’t resist putting their woodturning skills to the test. Last month, we had the joy of celebrating the inaugural 8 Over 80: Lifetime of Purpose Awards, honoring eight extraordinary Charlotteans who continue to inspire with their creativity, leadership, and unwavering sense of purpose. Bob and Bill created beautiful handmade wooden platters that were presented to the eight honorees. Their artistry is unmatched, and their talents continue to expand far beyond Southminster’s walls.
Bob Buric originally had a career as a civil engineer and eventually picked up woodturning as a creative outlet, which soon turned into an educational opportunity for himself and others. More than 30 years ago, he began learning more about trees and the craft of woodturning, eventually teaching at a high school in Wilmington for six years and then at a community college for another few years. He also belonged to a woodturning club that helped him find opportunities to teach and connect. Since then, he has presented many demonstrations for churches and schools in North Carolina.
Bill Godley also had a long career in the construction world as a building contractor. He began woodturning in high school but set the hobby aside until he retired and moved to Southminster about five years ago. He met Bob shortly after arriving, and the two hit it off right away. They shared similar career experiences and interests, and as Bill put it, “We kinda formed a team here. We enjoy doing a lot of projects together, and we just have a lot of fun down there (in Southminster’s woodworking shop) doing different things and being creative in what we do. We’ve been very lucky… we both still have 10 fingers!” They explained how their projects don’t always go as planned, but that’s part of the fun of being creative.
Their work on the 8 Over 80 award plates is a perfect example. They spent a long time deciding which types of wood would not only look best but also work best for their design. They originally wanted to use cherry wood but quickly realized cherry wouldn’t work for these platters. So, they collaborated and decided to use maple with a walnut inlay flowing across the plate. With Bill’s experience in epoxy, they used it to fuse all the pieces together and create a smooth, flowing design. Bob then worked diligently to turn each platter. He then wood burned the 8 Over 80 logo, the artist’s names, the type of wood used, and a Bible verse on the back. The verse, Isaiah 40:31, inspired the movement in the design:
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles…” That soaring strength is symbolized in the platter’s wooden inlay pattern.
Connection to Brookstone Creates Educational Opportunity for Brookstone Students
These two artisans recently brought their creativity and craftsmanship to the students at Brookstone Schools for a live demonstration they led together. Brookstone Schools is a not-for-profit Christian JK–8th grade private school for under-resourced families. Bob learned about Brookstone Schools through attending Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church with his wife, Nina. He volunteered to put on a woodturning demonstration for the school which was quickly embraced. The visit allowed the students to get an up-close look at the woodturning process and form meaningful connections between generations as they learned and created side by side.
Before the visit took place, Southminster’s Campus Facilities team provided important behind-the-scenes help. Darwin — who is well known and loved throughout the Southminster community — assisted with all the heavy lifting to transport the woodworking supplies, tools, and the pieces Bob and Bill wanted to display for the students. Thanks to his help, everything arrived safely, and the demonstration could run smoothly.
During the visit, the artisans led a hands-on demonstration. All 20+ eighth-grade students gathered around as Bob and Bill explained their tools, techniques, and creative processes. The session was highly interactive, and the men said the students were fully engaged, eager to ask questions and learn more.
Bob led most of the presentation, drawing on his many years of teaching experience. He began by teaching the students about trees, sharing fascinating facts — like how a large oak tree can drink up to 250 gallons of water every day (Did you know that?). He also shared stories from a past mission trip to Haiti where he helped build a church. Bob even explained, “On our mission trip, we felt an angel’s presence and witnessed God consistently providing materials at just the right moments.” The students were captivated by his stories.
Once he had their full attention, Bob showed them how to create a spinning top, and each student got to take one home. Then he demonstrated how to create a bowl. Bob noticed a young boy in the front row who was clearly enthralled by the demonstration. He invited him up to help turn part of the bowl. The student was nervous, but by the time he finished, he stood tall with a big smile as the entire class applauded his craftsmanship.
For the students, the experience was both educational and inspiring. Seeing artistry in action sparked curiosity, opened new possibilities, and showed how creativity plays a role in problem-solving, self-expression, and confidence.
For Bob and Bill, the day was equally meaningful. They said it was rewarding to connect with young learners, answer thoughtful questions, and help spark interest in the art of woodturning and missions.
