W. H. GRIFFIN III
March 16, 1924-May 10, 2010
William Henry Griffin III died Monday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
The family would like to invite friends to the graveside service at Willow Dale Cemetery Wednesday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Ryan Rasmussen officiating.
Mr. Griffin was born in Goldsboro March 16, 1924, to the late William Henry Griffin Jr. and Mary Thistlewood Vinyard Griffin. He was married to the late Elizabeth Miller Griffin, who preceded him in death Oct. 22, 2006, after 57 years of marriage.
His grandfather, Wilson Vinyard of Milford, Del., owned Vinyard Shipbuilding Co. It was through his many visits to Milford and Rehoboth Beach, Del., that he developed his love and knowledge of ships.
He was also an avid rail fan. His extensive collection of maritime and railroad books will be donated to the Wayne County Public Library for others to enjoy.
Mr. Griffin graduated from Virginia Episcopal School. He attended North Carolina State University prior to serving in the United States Army during World War II. He served in the Army Transportation Corps in India.
Following serving in the war, he attended Bowling Green University and graduated with a degree in business administration.
In Goldsboro, Mr. Griffin worked with his family's business, Griffin Oil Co., which was founded by his grandfather in 1891.
He enjoyed being a member of the Goldsboro Rotary Club, and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Lindy C. Gunderson Service Award.
He also served as an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian Church of Goldsboro, where he was a lifelong member.
Mr. Griffin is survived by his daughters, Mary Elizabeth Griffin and Margaret Griffin Delbridge and her husband, Matthew Leonard Delbridge, and two grandchildren, Margaret Miller Delbridge and Grace Stephenson Delbridge all of Goldsboro.
With loving gratitude, the family thanks his special caregivers, Gail Worrells, Caprice Howard, Tiffany Green, Lisa Worrell, Pat Patrick and Dorothy Cogdell, as well as the incredible guidance, wisdom and support given by Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
The family will receive friends tonight from 5 to 7 at the home of Mr. Griffin, 109 Overbrook Road in Goldsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534, or First Presbyterian Church, 1101 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 11, 2010 1:55 PM