James William Pittman

James William Pittman August 1, 1945 – November 4, 2018 James William Pittman, 73, of Wilson, passed away Sunday morning at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. A funeral and celebration of his life will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 202 N Goldsboro St, followed by a reception at the church and interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Wilson. The Rev. Marty Stebbins will officiate. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening at the home from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Born in Wilson, North Carolina on August 1, 1945, Jimmy was the son of the late Dr. M.A. Pittman, Sr. and the late Lula Norris Cox Pittman. Dr. Pittman Sr., a prominent Wilson physician, was a founder of both Woodard Herring and Wilson Memorial Hospitals. Jimmy, a graduate of Ralph L. Fike H.S. in 1963 and UNC Chapel Hill in 1967, was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity along with many of his lifelong friends. During his time at UNC he proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves from 1967-1973, aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mendotta stationed in Wilmington. Along with his wife, Dorothy, and his son, Will, Jimmy built a successful business, Triangle East Storage, Inc., founded in 1984. Prior to this, he was a successful and dedicated farmer, receiving The Wilson County Outstanding Young Farmer Award. In 2017, he was honored to receive the Paul Harris Fellow award by the Rotary Club of Greater Wilson in recognition of his contributions to the Club and community. Jimmy’s love of life, hunting and all things nautical, was only matched by his love for friends and family. A visit with Jimmy on his Atlantic Beach porch always brought smiles and laughter. His experience as a boat builder, farmer, businessman and entrepreneur made time with Jimmy memorable. But his experience as a devoted husband, brother, father and grandfather is what brought the most joy to Jimmy’s life. A proud accomplishment later in life was helping establish one of the largest Ducks Unlimited youth events in the country. An avid outdoorsman, Jimmy’s commitment to sharing the enjoyment and responsibilities of wildlife management and protection with younger generations eventually grew into the Pittman, Pierce, Johnson Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Event, bringing hundreds of kids and families to Wiggins Mill each year. Jimmy is survived by his wife of fifty years, Dorothy Boykin Pittman of Wilson; sister, Lula Pittman Post of Atlanta, Georgia; son, James William Pittman, Jr. and wife, Camilla Brown Pittman of Greenville; daughter, Elizabeth Pittman Stephenson and husband, Russell Lee Stephenson, III of Wilson; his grandchildren, James William Pittman, III, Grey Compton Pittman, Mallory Elizabeth Stephenson and Russell Lee Stephenson, IV. and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. M.A. Pittman Sr.; his brother, Dr. M.A. Pittman, Jr. and sister, Alice Cox Pittman Rouse. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 202 Goldsboro Street N, Wilson North Carolina 27893 or Ducks Unlimited-Greenwing, 4851 Nash Street, Wilson, North Carolina 27896. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.