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MURFREESBORO, NC – William Evans “Billy” Deanes, age 63, of Hwy 35, passed away on Sunday morning, April 12, 2020 in Murfreesboro, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

A native of Murfreesboro, Billy was born on May 10, 1956 to the late Benjamin Frederick “Ted” and Lessie Vick Deanes in Hertford County, N.C. He received his education at Murfreesboro High School. He was active in Boy Scouts alongside his father and brothers.

Billy was also a dedicated firefighter with the Murfreesboro Fire Department for thirty plus years; for many of those years he followed in his father’s footsteps as Fire Chief. He also served the Public Works Department of Murfreesboro for twenty-eight years. Billy was an avid sportsman, enjoying the time he spent fishing and hunting.

He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren whom he dearly loved. He was a kind-hearted, compassionate and generous man who always went above and beyond in order to help his friends, family and neighbors. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Billy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Stella Vick; paternal grandparents, Willie and Mary Deanes; parents, Ted and Lessie Deanes; and brothers, Freddie Deanes and Jeffrey Deanes.

Left to cherish Billy’s memory is his loving companion, Pat; his former wife, Penny Davis; his sons, William Ryan Deanes and wife Brandi of Ahoskie, Bobby Davis and wife Kitt of Gates, and George Whitley of Conway; six grandsons, Brantley and Jasper Deanes, Austin, Bradley, Cade and Mason Davis; and one precious granddaughter; two brothers, Joseph Wayne “Joe” Deanes and wife Katherine of Clarksville, GA, and Tommy Lee Deanes and wife Gayle of Millennium; six sisters, Joyce Ann Putnam and husband Larry of Enfield, Vickie Louise Hunnings and husband Mike of Suffolk, VA, Barbara Sue Benton and husband Wayne of Union, Nancy Gail Brittenham and husband Cumin of Aulander, Connie Paige Parker and husband Tommy of Aulander, and Sandra Denise Nabinger and husband Rick of Ahoskie. Billy is also survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews and cousins.

The pallbearers will be Jeremy Brittenham, Josh Brittenham, Justin Brittenham, Kevin Deanes, Ricky Deanes, Teddy Deanes, Brian Parker, and Allen Revelle.

Due to the circumstances with COVID-19 restrictions, Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, NC, will be open for friends to pay their respects and sign the register book on Friday, April 17, 2020, from noon until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 18, 2020, from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm.

A private family celebration of life graveside service with fireman’s honors will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro, NC, with nephew, Rev. Christopher Deanes officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Murfreesboro Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 6, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search fund, type: Billy Deanes.

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro is handling the arrangements for the Deanes family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.