John William Willoughby

John William Willoughby November 12, 1929 – September 6, 2018 John William “Bill” Willoughby, 88 of Wilson passed away peacefully at home on Thursday. His funeral service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday evening at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson with Rev. George Loveland and Rev. David Barnes officiating. A graveside service with Military Honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday in Riverside Cemetery, Mayor Billy Hill Street, Murfreesboro with the Rev. George Loveland officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday immediately following the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Bill served his country with honor and pride in the U.S. Air Force. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge #684 in Ahoskie and a member of the Sudan Shriners Temple of New Bern. He was owner and broker of Action Realty Company in Ahoskie for many years. Bill loved hunting and fishing, his church and his family. He was a wonderful husband and father who loved his family with protective devotion. Bill will be missed by all who loved and knew him. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lee Vinson Willoughby of the home; daughters, Cathy Lynette Cranford and husband, Randle of Aberdeen and Mary Beth McLawhorn and husband, Michael Denton of Wilson; granddaughter, Christina Boykin and husband, Shane of Elm City; great-grandson, Andrew Boykin of Elm city; step-great-granddaughter, Mia Denton of Winterville; sister, Katy Hyatt of Ahoskie and his brother, Phillip Willoughby and wife, Patricia of Statesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Helen Adkins Willoughby; sisters, Jean Lynette Willoughby, Helen McPherson, Ann Parker and Jackie Parker and his brothers, Earl Willoughby and Eddie Willoughby. The family would like to express their gratitude to Kindred Hospice at Home, their church family and friends for all of their care and compassion during Bill’s illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Bill’s memory to the Kindred at Home Hospice, 4013 Capitol Drive, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 or Winstead United Methodist Church, 1407 S Tarboro Street, Wilson, North Carolina 27893. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.