Merton Edward "Eddie" Robinson, Jr.

Merton Edward \"Eddie\" Robinson, Jr. Merton Edward \"Eddie\" Robinson, Jr., was one of a kind. It was evident in his first name and to everyone who knew and loved him. We thank God for him and his seventy-five years of life and for our memories and stories of him: his unique laugh and sense of humor; his old nickname \"Radio\" (he could be a talker); his love of the Tar Heels; his accomplishments on the gridiron, including his induction into the Ralph L. Fike High School Hall of Fame in Wilson, NC; his to-a-fault honesty; his appreciation of art and literature; his inability to sit still, except when napping; his love of history, antiques, and North Carolina pottery; his \"be-on-time-or-be-left-behind\" punctuality; his intellect and business acumen; his love and enjoyment of family and friends. Eddie died on Friday, December 30, 2016, in Wilson, NC, his hometown as a child and in the last years of his life. He was born in Gastonia, NC, on July 14, 1941, and he would regularly remind his children and grandchildren that his birthday was Bastille Day so they wouldn\'t forget it. He was the only child of Merton Edward Robinson, Sr., and Elizabeth Clemmer Robinson, with whom he is now reunited in God\'s nearer presence. Grieving his death but grateful for his life are his wife of fifty-one years, Elizabeth Clayton Robinson; his daughter Margaret and her husband Robert, his son William and his wife Kate, and his son Mark; his grandchildren Mary and Eddie, who bears his grandfather\'s name; his brothers-and-sisters-in law, H.D. \"Cobby\" and Ann Reaves, Mary and Dan Byrd, and Bill and Ruth Clayton; his nieces and nephews; and his many friends. The family is especially thankful for his lifelong friend (his brother from another mother) Walter Brown. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Barton College (P.O. Box 5000, Wilson, NC, 27893) or to a favorite charity.