Wilbur Bill X Yerton

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 8 at Newell Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend Brad Busiek officiating with Reverend Fred Griffie assisting. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.

A long-time resident of Newell, graduating from Newell High School in 1932, he was preceded in death by his father, Grier Yerton and mother, Mary Stewart Yerton. Bill entered Wingate Junior College in the fall of 1932 on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1934 with an Associate of Arts degree. He returned to Wingate on January 1, 1935 for additional studies and to play baseball. Wingate University honored Bill in 2008 with a luncheon and named the offices and locker room in a new baseball club house. Bill was a member of the A & P basketball team which won the 1935- 1936 Charlotte Municipal League Championship.

On February 26, 1936 he married Dorothy "Dot" Watkins, who passed away on February 25, 2002, lacking one day of 66 years of a great marriage. Bill and Dot had one son, who passed away in 1971.

In the fall of 1936 he entered Geyer Business School, which later changed its name to National Business Training School. In addition to his business studies, Bill coached the boys and girls basketball teams. The girls won the A.A.U. State Championship under his leadership.

In 1937, he was employed by Dennis Myers, Gulf Oil Distributor. In 1944 the Gulf Oil Corporation employed Bill as a bookkeeper, several years later promoted him to Senior Clerk and, in 1950, to Office Manager. In 1955, he was appointed Gulf's Real Estate Representative, buying, leasing and selling surplus properties in NC, SC and VA. Bill held this position until his retirement on February 1, 1977.

In the 50's and 60's, he was active in Little League Baseball. Bill was a member of Newell Presbyterian Church for over 70 years, serving as Janitor, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, Deacon and Elder. He was elected a Delegate to the General Assembly by the Mecklenburg Presbytery in the 60's. Bill served on the Building Committee for the addition and improvements to the original church, as well as on the Building Committee for the construction of a new Educational Building. On June 25, 1995, the church honored him by electing him "Elder Emeritus".

Bill married long-time friend, Helen Francis Alexander on May 11, 2002. They had a wonderful and loving marriage living at Wilora Lake Lodge Retirement Center, enjoying the fellowship and love of the personnel and residents. Helen and Bill also enjoyed traveling very much.

Survivors include a sister, Betty Yerton Couch and her husband, Frank; and a number of loving and caring nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Newell Presbyterian Church,PO Box 68, Newell, NC 28126.

Bill's family is being served by Wilson Funeral and Cremation Service, online condolences at www.wilsonfuneralservices.com.