William "Keith" Pittman

William “Keith” Pittman went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 14.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 18 at 2:00 pm at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road, Wilson.  Pastor Stephen Duncan will officiate.

Family will receive friends on Monday, December 18 from 12:30 pm until 1:45 pm at Joyner’s Funeral home and at other times at the Home of Tim Pittman.

Keith spent his life in loving service of others.  He spent his professional life first teaching physical education and driver’s education, coaching basketball and baseball, and serving as Athletic Director for South Edgecombe High School.  He led the basketball team to five Conference Championships, five Tournament Championships, and a 1-A Boy’s State Championship in 1972.  As baseball coach, he led South Edgecombe to four Conference Championships. 

Keith then served as Transportation Director, Athletic Director, and Driver Education Coordinator for Edgecombe County Schools.  He also served on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and is a lifetime honorary member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.  After retirement, he continued his service to Edgecombe County as a member of the Board of Education for almost twenty years and was inducted into the SouthWest Edgecombe Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. 

Keith was also a faithful member of Webbs Chapel Church, serving as a deacon and trustee.  He served the Lord with gladness, just like he did the people of Webbs Chapel.  You could always count on a smile and a big hug from him.  He loved his family, including yearly trips to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Almost every person he came across, he would ask, “Where are you from?  Who are your parents?  Where did you go to school?”  And somehow, he would always make a connection with them.  One of his favorite things to do was to share stories with former co-workers, students, and players of the “good ol’ days.”

Keith was many things to many people—he was a coach, a teacher, a mentor, a father figure, but most importantly, he was everything to his family.  His legacy and love will be felt for generations. 

Keith is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Mary Cummings Pittman of the home; brother, Tim Pittman and wife, Wilma of Pinetops; sister, Jean Story of Knightdale; nephews, Brian Henson and wife, Gabriela of Matthews and their children, Caleb, Brayden, and Aubrey, and John Pittman and wife, Elizabeth of Clayton and their children, Isaac, Levi, Ruby, and Emery; and nieces, Tricia Conard and husband, Todd of Knightdale and their children, Kyle and Scarlett, and Erin Scott and husband, Rusty of Macclesfield and their daughter, Abigail.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Franklin Pittman and Ethel Virginia Matthews Pittman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Webbs Chapel Baptist Church Family Life Center Fund at PO Box 336 Macclesfield, NC 27852.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.