AHOSKIE – William Harrison “Billy” Joyner, age 86 of Hwy 561, Ahoskie, died Sunday, September 2, 2012 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

Billy was born in Hertford County on March 14, 1926, a son of the late Ruth Britton and William Thomas Joyner. He was a member and past deacon of St. Johns Baptist Church. Billy was a proud navy veteran of World War II, and served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Adams and the USS Quick.

In 1950, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Marian Bodiford Joyner, and started his family and business. Marian predeceased him in 2006. He was a business man in Ahoskie for many years being owner and operator of Joyner’s TV Service, Radio Shack, and U.S. Cellular until his retirement.  Among his many active hobbies were boating, fishing, camping and music. Billy was also known to be quite an avid storyteller.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy J. Perry and husband, Pat, of Ahoskie; his sons, Freddy Joyner and wife, Hilda, of Clayton, Al Joyner and wife, Jackie, of Lake Lure, and Gary Joyner of Gatesville; his grandchildren, Jesse Sumner and wife, Leigh, Ashton S. Weller and husband, Brian, Matt Joyner, Victoria J. Wiley and husband, Justin, Will Joyner and Lee Joyner; and great grandchildren, Katelyn Sumner, Brett Sumner, Bailey Sumner, Madison Weller, Caroline Wiley, Addison Wiley and Kamdyn Wiley. He is also survived by his sister, Eloise Belch of Ahoskie; and five brothers, Eugene Joyner of Richmond, VA, Jimmy Joyner of Hampton, VA, Julian Joyner, Hunter Joyner and Roy Joyner, all of Ahoskie.

Billy will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, true friend and devout Christian.

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 2 p.m. at St. Johns Baptist Church with the Rev. Garry Medford officiating. Burial will follow in Job Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home, Ahoskie, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be generously accepted to the “Gary B. Joyner Spirit of Life Gift”, c/o Al Joyner and Judy Perry, 925 Overton Street, Ahoskie NC 27910.

Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.