John Anthony Willoughby, 49, of Cary, NC, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019. He was born in Marion, South Carolina on October 27, 1969 to John B. Willoughby, Jr. and Edna Stanton Willoughby. A native of Nichols, South Carolina, Anthony graduated with honors from Green Sea Floyds High School. He then attended Clemson University, where he earned both a Bachelor and Master of Science in electrical engineering. Anthony was employed as a senior electrical engineer by Barry-Wehmiller Design Group in Raleigh, NC and was licensed as a North Carolina Professional Engineer. He loved solving complex engineering problems and was well respected in his profession by peers and clients. Anthony was an excellent cook, a zealous Clemson football fan, and was known for his basketball skills, quick wit and kind and gentle spirit.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Patricia; their children John, Carmen, and Miranda; and two children, Kaitlyn and Brandon, from his first marriage to Hui Feng. Anthony is also survived by two sisters, Kimberly W. Fail (Matt) of Wilmington, North Carolina and Amy Willoughby of Durham, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his father.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, April 5, 2019 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Grace Church, 3725 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27518. Anthony will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary, NC 27519.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anthony’s memory to Grace Church in Cary or to Clemson University by contacting Clemson’s Annual Giving Office at 864/656-5896.
