BILL SAWREY JR.
May 17, 1922-Oct. 31, 2012
William James "Bill" Sawrey Jr., 90, passed away on Wednesday at his home surrounded by his family.
Bill was born in Walstonburg, Speights Bridge Community, on May 17, 1922, to the late William J. Sawrey and Aneta Lamm Sawrey. He was a longtime resident of Wayne County and had worked in the automotive parts business. Bill retired from Central Service Motor Company as parts manager in 1987 and continued to work in automotive parts until the age of 82. He received numerous service awards and commendations from Ford Motor Company.
Bill was a man of many talents, doing his own automobile maintenance and repairs as well as building the family home where he has resided since its completion. It was his joy to travel and afford his children the opportunity to see much of the state of North Carolina and many vacations to Florida and Disney World.
Bill was a faithful member of Pineview Baptist Church and was the recipient of the Brotherhood Man of the Year award. He was a Christian man who raised his children by his example of faithful attendance at both Sunday school and worship services. His strong example will live on in his children.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Bill was a Radar Man 3rd class aboard the USS Mitchell, DE-43 in the Pacific Theatre. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Area Service Ribbon with eight stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. Bill was a charter member of the American Legion, Post 332 in Walstonburg.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at Pineview Baptist Church with the Rev. James Medlin and the Rev. Mike Ester officiating. Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at Pikeville Cemetery with military honors.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Miriam Smith Sawrey; six sons, Michael Everett and wife, Daphne of Rosewood, Robert "Bobby" Everett and wife, Kathleen of Galena, Mo., Sam Everett and wife, Tammy of Goldsboro, Gary Everett and wife, Penny of Fort Rucker, Ala.; William J. "Willie" Sawrey III and wife, Dana of Goldsboro, and Carl T. "Tommy" Sawrey and wife, Heather of Goldsboro; five daughters, Marjorie Kelley and husband, David of Elm City, Miriam "Lili" Worley and special friend, Joel Tew of Pikeville, Nancy Schwartz and husband, Alan of Murrells Inlet, S.C., Anita Lanier and husband, Ranny of Dudley and Jane Shattuck and husband, Brent of LaGrange; three nieces, Nancy Carolyn Varnell and husband, Bob of Wilson, Kay Taylor of Manhattan, N.Y., Donna Jo Taylor of Liverpool, England; six nephews, Billy Davis and wife, Betty of Greenville, William "Buddy" Vick and wife, Ginger of Walstonburg, Austin Vick and wife, Linda of Kansas, Gerald Vick and wife, June of Micro, Thomas Vick and wife, Vicky of Goldsboro, and Bruce Taylor Jr. of Walstonburg. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Bertha S. Davis of Wilson, Rubena S. Vick and Frances S. Taylor of Walstonburg; and two brothers, Carl Sawrey and Haywood Sawrey of Walstonburg.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, N.C. 27361 or the American Legion, Post 332, 311 N. Wilson Street, Walstonburg, N.C. 27888 or to Pineview Baptist Church, 3357 U.S. 117 Hwy. North, Goldsboro, N.C. 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 2, 2012 1:50 PM