William Isaac Langston, Sr., 72, died Saturday, January 30, at his home in Murfreesboro.
A native of Eure in Gates County, he was fondly known by all as “Billy Coon”.
Honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp after 20 years of service, he spent two tours in Vietnam as well as in other overseas areas. He was a musician, was best known as an expert harmonica player and, as a member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church Choir, sang bass and, also, sang in various area gospel quartets.
He was a member of the Murfreesboro Exchange Club and during his childhood enjoyed the outdoors where he became an expert rifleman and fisherman.
“Bill” loved meeting people as he never knew a stranger.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Joyce Deanes Langston of their home; two children. William I. “Billy” Langston, Jr. of Murfreesboro and Debra “Debbie” Langston Williams of Plymouth; five grandchildren, Heather Diana Langston of Greenville, Stephen Michael Langston of Denver, CO, and Christopher Aaron Williams, Noah Daniel Williams and David Seth Williams of Plymouth; two brothers, Timothy O. Langston, Jr. of Gretna, VA and John W. Langston of Norfolk, VA; and two sisters, Jean L Liverman of Kill Devil Hills and Rebecca L. Tinkham of Eure.
He had been preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Rebecca Langston.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 6 in Murfreesboro United Methodist Church with the Rev. Arthur Warren and the Rev. Dan Earnhardt presiding. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro.
The family will be receiving friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway and have requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910 or to the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive, # B, Greenville, NC 27834.