James Willard Hobbs Sr.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 617 North Elm Street. The family will receive friends following the service in the Virginia Gilmer Room and afterward at the residence of Karen and Bob Isner at 4:30 p.m.

Will was born January 25, 1924, in Guilford County, NC and is the son of the late Ben and Fannie Hobbs. He graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1942, and from UNC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1950. He played baseball at UNC and was the captain of the 1950 Southern Conference Championship team. The Tar Heels, with Will holding down first base, advance to the College World Series Championship final that year. Will proudly served his country from 1943 until 1946 as a Navy Corpsman in the Pacific Campaign. His service took him to Guam, Wake Island, Iwo Jima and Ulithi Atoll. In 1946. Willard met the love of his life Betty Kathryn White from Erwin, N.C. They were married in 1950 and they spent 63 wonderful years happily married. For most of his career, Will sold fuel oil for Kenco Petroleum. Will was a beloved man who loved his family and his many friends. He was a passionate baseball fan and enjoyed golf, fishing and playing cards with his buddies. He enjoyed travel and in his life he and Betty saw much of the world. Will was also passionate about his community and served it well as a long-time volunteer for Hospice, Meals on Wheels and the Prison Ministry.

Will was a natural born charmer who always treated all people with equal love and respect.

Will was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro where he served as an elder and was also active in the Young Men’s Bible Study Class.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Hobbs was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty and his brother and best friend, Jack Hobbs. He is survived by his son, James Willard Hobbs, Jr., his wife Hana and their daughter, Madison of Durham, NC; his daughter, Karen Isner and her husband Bob of Greensboro, NC and their children, Nathan Isner and wife of Carrie Jo of Julian, NC, Jordan Isner of Fort Lauderdale, FL, John Isner of Tampa, Fl. and fiancé Maddy McKinley of Dallas, TX; and great-grandchildren, Eliza and Will Isner, also of Julian, NC. Also surviving is his good friend and companion Anne Adams.

Memorial contributions can be made to: UNC Comprehensive Cancer Center, CB # 7295, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; or to Glenwood Family Ministries (Indicate Hope Academy),P.O. Box 10616, Greensboro, NC 27404.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Hobbs family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.