James R. Hefner

Hefner worked for more than 40 years in the textile industry in North and South Carolina. He held various executive positions with Pacific Mills and Burlington Industries in Rhodhiss, NC; Franklinton, NC; Fayetteville, NC, and Asheboro, NC. He ended his career with Springs Mills in Fort Mill, SC.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen I. Hefner of Raleigh; a sister, Bernice Miller of Granite Falls, NC; a daughter, Rhonda H. Patterson of Raleigh; his son-in-law, William S. Patterson of Raleigh; a son, James R. Hefner, III of Chapel Hill, NC, and his daughter-in-law, Martha R. Hefner of Chapel Hill, NC. In addition, he is survived by eight grandchildren, Sarah Patterson of Raleigh; Laura Sims of Greensburg, PA; Julia Mirek of Pittsburgh; Robert Mirek of Wilmington, NC; Diana Pusillo of Clarksville, TV; Russell Hefner of Washington, DC; Casey Hefner of Chapel Hill, and Joseph Hefner of Winston-Salem, NC. He is also survived four great grandchildren and four nieces and nephews.

Hefner was a graduate of Granite Falls High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor during his service as well as the Purple Heart.

Hefner began his career sweeping floors at a textile mill in his hometown of Rhodhiss. By the end of his career he was an executive vice president and group manager with Springs Mills in Fort Mill. He and Helen retired in Fort Mill and Blowing Rock, NC, in 1987, later moving to Raleigh.

Hefner was preceded in death by his father, J. Russell Hefner, Sr.; his mother, Bessie Hefner; two sisters, Betty Roberts of Hickory, NC, and Beatrice Faries of Boone, NC.

A graveside service will be conducted at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir, NC, at 11 am on Saturday. Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Springmoor Endowment Fund at Springmoor Retirement Community in Raleigh.