RICH SQUARE, NC – William Wallace “Billy” Whitley, Sr. passed away after a valiant battle with cancer on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at his home surrounded by his beloved family.

Billy was born on July 18, 1948 to Robert E. Whitley, Sr. and Inez Dudley Whitley in Rich Square, Northampton County, NC. Billy was a man of simple tastes and pleasures. He loved “wetting a hook” every chance he got and never had a bad day fishing. He worked hard all of his life in the construction business and took great pride in his work. He had more friends than any one person could ever hope for and each one of them held a special place in his heart. Billy was always quick with a joke or a story and you were never in his presence that he didn’t make you laugh. He believed that there was never a situation in this world so bad that music couldn’t help fix it. He showed his vocal talents whenever the karaoke machine started and his shoes were always hot on the dance floor. He loved his life!

His favorite movie was Brave Heart. The main character was appropriately named “William Wallace”. His favorite line from that movie describes him perfectly. “Everyone in this world dies but not everyone lives.” Billy Whitley lived his life to the fullest. More than anything he loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Reba

Whitley Hayden; his sister-in-law, Sammye Diane Whitley, and his treasured daughter-in-law, Sheryl Brown Whitley.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 38 years, Brenda Jones Whitley; his three children, Tracy Whitley Sykes and husband, Mack, of Creeksville, NC, his son William Wallace Whitley, Jr. of Pendleton, NC, his daughter, Suzanne W. Amigo and husband, Louis, of Wilmington, NC; his grandchildren, Cameron Sykes, Rebecca Sykes, Jordan Whitley, Wyatt Whitley, Alex Amigo and Stephen Amigo; his brother, Robert E. Whitley, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Betty Jean

Baugham, and Joan Lassiter and husband, Calvin, all of Lasker, NC; and many nieces and nephews that all held special places in his heart. Also left to treasure the many memories shared with Billy are “the boys from the shop”. He loved them all like family.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Deloatch – Sykes Family Cemetery in Creeksville, NC (1416 Zion Church Road, Conway, NC 27820), with the Reverend Bob Rogers officiating.

Flowers are welcomed but donations may be made directly to Vidant Home Health and Hospice of Ahoskie, 521 West Myers Street, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search then type Billy Whitley.

A very special thank you to his nurses, Leigh Sumner and Lisa Small. Truly Angels on earth.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Rich Square is handling arrangements for the Whitley family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.