Bill was born in New Bern, NC on July 30, 1923 to the late Julia Elizabeth Ipock and Claude Dillard Lancaster, Sr. He is survived by his loving daughters, Ginger Lancaster Shields (Rob), Beth Lancaster Caraway (Mark), and Jean Lancaster Stacks, his grandchildren, Robert Shields (Nicole), Claude, Ryan and Rachel Shields, James and Dillon Caraway, Claudia, Parker and David Stacks and great-granddaughter, Kate Shields, his sisters in-law, Bobbie Wright Massie, Virginia Wright Northcote, Christine Anne Wright and K. Lee Wright. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Wright Lancaster, his son, Claude Dillard Lancaster, III, his brother, James Vincent Lancaster, his sister, Elizabeth Crowley and his son in-law, J. L. Stacks.
Upon graduation from New Bern High School, having been the first New Bernian to play in The Shrine Bowl, Bill attended UNC Chapel Hill where he received his B.S. degree in Business Administration and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. During WWII he served in the Signal Intelligence Service decoding Japanese codes and documentations. Bill’s career with the C.D. Lancaster Insurance Agency (later Lancaster-McAden Willis Smith) spanned over 30 years. He was inducted into the New Bern High School Sports Hall of Fame. Bill enjoyed his membership at the Trent Pines Club, Shriners, The Dunes Club, New Bern Golf and Country Club and Garber United Methodist Church.
Having been an avid golfer with nine hole-in-ones, he also enjoyed playing tennis and traveling abroad with Betty. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He will forever be remembered as a kind, loving husband, daddy, grandfather, “DA,” and friend. In his later years, Bill shared a daily gin game with friends at the club.
The family would like to thank Craven County Home Health and Hospice, the home health workers of Friendly Caregivers, Ginny Kissel and his dear friend, Carolyn Fulcher.
His funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Garber United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Craven County Home Health and Hospice P. O. Drawer 12610 New Bern, NC 28561 or to Garber UMC 4201 Country Club Rd., New Bern, NC 28562.
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