Billy was born June 18, 1927 in Wake County, North Carolina to the late Worth and Lillian Upchurch.
Billy enjoyed a very successful career spanning over 30 years with North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award to Agriculture. After retirement, he continued by serving on the Wake County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Over the years, he traveled the state, meeting and working with members of the agricultural community. He considered each one of them his friend. His most proud accomplishment was his successful farming operation that he developed from a young age.
Billy and Doris were active members of Good Hope Baptist Church where he served several years as Chairman of the Deacons and Sunday School Superintendent.
Billy was preceded in death by his sister, Patsy Latta.
Billy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Doris Yates Upchurch; son, William Upchurch Jr. (Amanda); daughters, Patricia Kuester (John) and Pamela Joyner (Michael); six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held 4 PM Friday, August 24, 2018 at Good Hope Baptist Church, 6630 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC 27519. Burial will follow the service with Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends 6-8 PM Thursday, August 23, 2018 at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the Good Hope Baptist Church Building Fund.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Richard Torrey, Dr. Bruce Usher, Dr. William Dunlap, and the caring staff at The Oaks at Mayview in Raleigh.
Condolences can be sent to apexfuneral.net
