William Christopher Axberg

William "Bill" "Captain" Christopher Axberg was born in Chicago Heights, IL on January 30, 1965 to the late Donald E. Axberg and Mary Lou Richie Axberg. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Jacob L. Axberg. Bill is survived by his wife, Anne L. Axberg and his son, Edward T. Axberg, brothers, Thomas C. Axberg (Angelica), and John R. Axberg (Jessica). Aunt Pat Axberg Buzek (Byron), cousin Pam as well as many nieces and nephews.

When Bill was five years old, he and his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where he lived the majority of his life. As a child, he and his brothers loved bike riding all around Quail Hollow with many friends making up their own games and playing organized sports year-round including football, baseball, basketball and swimming. Allegedly, they may have been responsible for a few box fires in the woods, though never proven. Rumor has it that Bill's mother may have caught him and his brother Tom less than fully clothed down Pebblebrook because "they were hot." In their defense, streaking was a big deal in the 70s. He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1983 where he met what would become lifelong friends. Bill graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Economics and Marketing. Bill's Dad was a major reason he loved the Wolfpack as Don took his boys to many State sporting events through the years.

Bill's true love began on a Sunday when he spotted a woman in the parking lot of Saint Raphael Catholic Church in 1997 having car issues. He was the first to come to Anne's rescue then and for the next 26 years he continued to be her strong, gentle giant. They said their "I dos" in October of 1998 and had their son, Eddie, in February of 2003. Bill and Anne enjoyed the life of cheering on the Wolfpack at football games, vacationing in the summer at the lake in Nebraska with family, challenging one another with Jeopardy, Connections, and Wordle (spoiler alert: Bill ALWAYS won) and simply just being together at the end of a busy day. But their biggest joy in life was watching their son grow up to be a spitting image of Bill in looks and personality - his kindness and empathy towards others, thoughtfulness, his modest demeanor and above everything else, his intellect.

Bill shared his mother's love for wildlife and gardening. Combining Mary Lou's passion for day lilies and his interest in genealogy, Bill transplanted her bulbs to numerous locations across the States to honor the family's historic roots. Bill not only dedicated himself to his family and friends but also to his health. Bill completed 23 marathons and too many to count half marathons. Perhaps Bill's biggest running accomplishment was the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge eating 24 doughnuts as opposed to the dozen requirement because, as we all know, Bill never did anything halfway. A huge part of Bill's circle was the brotherhood of F3 nation. Standing for fitness, fellowship and faith, the Captain was always there for The Pax; leading, volunteering and belonging. Aye!

Bill touched the lives around him with his kindness and compassion. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E Millbrook Rd from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Road at 11:00 am on Friday, February 23, 2024.

In remembrance of Bill's life, the family asks in lieu of flowers that any charitable donations be made to the Jimmy V Foundation or Healing Transitions of Raleigh.