Bill was born on September 1, 1926 in Nashville, NC to the late, Robert Wheeler and Mary Joyner Gupton. Robert served in the US Navy during World War II, and is a Past Master of the Morningstar Lodge No. 85. It was also in Nashville that he started an almost 37 year career with Carolina Power & Light Company.
Bill married Betty Lou Seeger on September 8, 1951. They moved to Cary in 1968, and cherished living in the same house for the rest of their lives. It is here they raised their only daughter, Melinda, who was privileged to care for each of them as their health declined in recent years.
Bill was an active member of Ephesus Baptist Church where he engaged in many aspects of the church’s outreach ministries. He spent countless days with the Baptist Men repairing homes ravaged by hurricanes in eastern NC. Bill participated in the yearly living nativity assembling sets and lighting luminaries, as well as assisting with many building projects to enhance the church.
Bill was a strong, patient man who loved to serve his family, neighbors and those he didn’t even know. One of the greatest honors he spoke of was when he was invited to take a Flight of Honor in 2011, recognizing WWII veterans, and touring many of the memorials in our nation’s Capital. Bill treasured visits with friends and family, was blessed to have travelled extensively with Mom, and was content sitting on his back deck watching the birds and squirrels at his many feeders. He was an incredible carpenter and electrician, an avid golfer, and a teacher of all the important life skills one needs to succeed. But above all, Bill was a loving and devoted husband, Daddy, and Granddad.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Seeger Gupton, along with 2 brothers and 5 sisters.
Bill will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Melinda Murphy and his beloved granddaughters, Kristen Murphy of Raleigh, NC and Rebecca Murphy of Washington, DC.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at 2:00 PM. The service will be at Ephesus Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, and will be outside under the front covered area to promote social distancing. Burial in the church cemetery with Military Honors and Masonic Rites will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in honor of Dad to any Veteran’s Organization, or the Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC.
Condolences can be shared at apexfuneral.net
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