Mr. William "Billy" Gaskins Jr.

Billy was born in New Bern on Dec. 12, 1928, and lived almost his entire life on the family farm. As a boy, he helped his dad with the family dairy business and was an active 4-H Club member. He graduated from Bridgeton School, where he played varsity basketball, and he then attended Edward's Military Institute in Salemburg, N.C.

He was a Tech Sergeant in the United States Army and member of Battery B, 690th FA Battalion, located in New Bern. He was very proud of his service to his country and especially of his time spent in Korea during the Korean War.

After his return from Korea, Billy ran the family farm, producing tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, hay, and livestock. He retired from farming in 1990. He then spent 13 years working at the Craven County Convenience Center in Vanceboro, N.C., where he enjoyed meeting and talking with customers. He retired from the Center in 2003 to care for his wife during her battle with leukemia.

Billy was a member and staunch supporter of the Little Swift Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He attended Antioch Free Will Baptist Church. For many years, he also helped manage the Forrest Community Building on Antioch Road.

He loved animals and enjoyed being outside. In retirement, he spent many hours in what came to be known as "Billy's Play House," one of his old farm buildings, organizing the items in his collections and tinkering with farm equipment.

He had a strong work ethic and occupied himself with work projects right up until his death. He had high expectations for himself and for others, and he stressed the values of integrity, hard work, and doing one's absolute best. He had a tremendous sense of humor and dry, quick wit. Recently, Billy was blessed to live in the N.C. State Veterans Home in Kinston, N.C. The family would like to thank everyone at this facility for their love, professionalism, compassion and sincerity. We would also like to thank Tracey McLawhorn with Seniors Choosing to Live at Home for her love and kindness.

Billy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Delores Dees Bennett Gaskins; by his parents, William Otis and Mittie Becton Gaskins; by a sister, Mary Gaskins Cowper; and by a son, William "Willie" Otis Gaskins III.

He is survived by a sister, Martha Jones of New Bern, four children, Adrian Gaskins of Goldsboro; and Jerry, Terry, and Beverly Gaskins, all of New Bern; four grandchildren, Jay Jay, Willie, Ethan, and Katherine Gaskins; and three great-grandchildren, Skyla, Miley, and Carter.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016, at Cotten Funeral Home. Billy's funeral service will be at 11 am on Tuesday April 26, 2016, at the Lakeside Chapel in Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern, with the Reverend Billy Hacker officiating. Family also will receive friends at his home at 660 Antioch Road.

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made in Billy's memory to the Little Swift Creek Volunteer Fire Department, P.O Box 68, Ernul, NC, 28527. Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.