William "Bill" Roy Edwards

Bill is predeceased by his parents, William Roy and Lorena Lyon Edwards, his sister, Betty Edwards Cooke, and his wife, Ruth Furgurson.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Debbie Haggerty and her husband, John, of Rocky Mount, NC, his daughter, Cathy Coulter and her partner, Chuck Sullivan, of Charlotte, NC, and his son, Johnny Edwards and his wife, Stephanie, of Jetersville, VA. He was blessed to have seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews who to him were just like his own children.

Bill was born in Durham, N.C. on November 3, 1925. He graduated from Durham High School and attended both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps. At seventeen, Bill Edwards asked his father to sign a waiver for his early entrance eager to serve his country in World War II. His father was disabled in WWI and denied his request. Determined, a year later Bill enlisted and served as a top turret gunner flying on a B-24 Liberator named “Alleyoop” out of Pantanella, Italy.

He was employed by Sears Roebuck, retiring after 39 years of service. Bill enjoyed living on the beach, tennis, golf, and working out at the gym. He was best known for his love of his country, his southern heritage, and his UNC Tar Heels. He proudly flew his “God Bless America and the Tar Heels Too!” banner every day at his home on Topsail Island. Bill's 48 years in residence on the island led him to square off against Mother Nature on many occasions. He has ridden out three hurricanes in his oceanfront home in Surf City. When Hurricane Fran made landfall in 1996, Bill became an impromptu reporter heard on radio stations across the United States.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, July 15, 2016, at Faith Harbor Methodist Church, 14201 NC Hwy 50, Surf City, NC 28445, with Rev. Neil McHenry officiating. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Family members will greet friends at the church following the service, and at other times at Bill’s residence.

            Interment will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Maplewood Cemetery, 1621 Duke University Road, Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Harbor Methodist Church (address above), or to the Flightline Newsletter of the 780th Bombardment Squadron of WWII at Flightline, 1004 Williams Blvd, Springfield, IL 62704-2832, ATTN: Kathy LeComte.