March 2025

Randall Scott Godwin, March 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 1969-March 15, 2025

Randall Scott Godwin
Randall Scott Godwin
Contributed

Randall Scott Godwin, son of Randall and Patsy Daughtridge Godwin; and older brother of Sean Godwin; died at 55 on March 15, 2025, at home in Graham, North Carolina. Scott was born Sept. 15, 1969. He is the grandson of the late Narvin and Mavis Godwin. Scott was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America through the First Baptist Church of Graham, where he was a member. Scott attended the 15th World Scout Jubilee in Alberta, Canada. He earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Scott loved and cherished his family. He is buried in Graham Memorial Park in Graham, North Carolina.




Betty Carol Baker Reason, March 31, 2025

July 29, 1946-March 31, 2025

Betty Baker Reason headshot
Betty Baker Reason
Contributed

Betty Baker Reason, wife of Douglas Reason; mother of Douglas Mike Reason, and his wife Cristal of the Arnettie Branch; Betty “Missy” Webb, and her husband Herschel; Angela Hoffman, and her husband Rodney; and sister of Edgar Baker, and his wife Regina; died at 79, in Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, North Carolina. Betty was born July 29, 1946. She is the daughter of the late Edgar Hines and Margaret Mae Baker; and great-grandmother of the late Brycen Corbett. She is the grandmother of Dale Batchelor, and his wife Macyna; Daniel Batchelor; Zachary Reason; Emily Reason; Carly Reason; Mark Reason, and his wife Amy; Douglas “Mikey” Reason; Krysten Patton, and her husband Mark; Charles Morris; and Jonathan Corbett, and his wife Lissi. She is the great-grandmother to 13. She is buried in Macclesfield Cemetery in Macclesfield, North Carolina.




April 2025

Ollie Ray Starling, April 11, 2025

Dec. 1, 1983-April 11, 2025

Ollie Ray Starling.
Ollie Ray Starling
Contributed

Ollie Ray Starling, son of Jeffrey Ray Starling; nephew of Reg Mosley, and his wife Lisa; and cousin of Joey Mosley; died at 41 on April 11, 2025, in Kenly, North Carolina. Ollie was born Dec. 1, 1983. He is the son of the late Lisa Kay Starling.




James Alvin Stancil Jr., April 24, 2025

Oct. 14, 1946-April 24, 2025

James Alvin Stancil Jr. smiles in a portrait shot.
James Alvin Stancil Jr.
Contributed

James Alvin Stancil Jr., father of Tish Stancil Summerlin, husband Steve of the Arnettie Branch, died at 78 on April 28, 2025, in Wilson. He is the husband of Catherine Perry Stancil and father of Kelly Stancil Barnes, husband Billy; and Lee Anne Edwards, husband Justin. He was born October 14, 1946. He is the son of the late Alvin and Peggy Stancil; brother of the late Joan Thompson, Danny Stancil and Steve Stancil; and uncle of Alvin Thompson. He is the grandfather of Brooke Meador and Sage Meador.




May 2025

Andrew Richard Gallant, May 11, 2025

Sept. 16, 1984-May 11, 2025

Andrew Richard Gallant headshot.
Andrew Richard Gallant
Archives

Andrew Richard Gallant, son of Rich and Kathy Pope Gallant; and brother of Mary-Marshall Gallant Kunicki, and her husband David; died unexpectedly of a heart attack at 40 on May 11, 2025, in Mexico City where he has lived for three years. He was born on Sept. 16, 1984, in Wilson, North Carolina. Andrew, who went by Andy and Drew, launched many successful coffee ventures in both the U.S. and Mexico, including in Puerto Vallarta and most recently in Mexico City. His dedication was evident in his process: he would travel directly to the coffee fields to personally select his beans, bring them to his roaster, and craft his own brand. He owned his own roaster and roasted his own beans. He shared his adventures with his faithful cocker spaniel, Patrick, who was always by his side. Andy also held immense love for his late Papa, Marshall Pope.




William "Bill" Henry Batts, May 19, 2025

July 3, 1937-May 19, 2025

Bill Batts slightly smiles.
Bill Batts
Archives

William "Bill" Henry Batts Jr., George Ira Branch, husband of Jacqueline "Jackie" Lewis Batts; father of David Henry Batts, and his wife Lea; and brother of James "Jim" Ralph Batts, and his wife Kathy; died at 87 on May 19, 2025, in High Point, North Carolina. Bill was born on July 3, 1937, in Wilson, North Carolina. He is the eldest child of the late William and Eva Vazelle Stancil Batts – Vazelle later married Francis Nixon Jessup; and the father of the late Claire Suzanne Batts Green and William Timothy Batts. He is the grandfather of Parker Batts, Henry Batts, Eva Batts and Nick Batts. After graduating high school, Bill received an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He earned a bachelor’s degree and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy in 1959. He also attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Bill retired from the Navy as a commander in 1980 and returned to North Carolina. He and Jackie, who both grew up in Wilson, married on June 6, 2007. Bill will be buried at sea by the Navy.




June 2025

Debra Ann Hill Walston, June 21, 2025

Aug. 14, 1955-June 21, 2025

Debra Hill Walston.
Debra Hill Walston
Contributed

Debra Hill Walston, Arnettie Branch, of Wilson, died at 69 on June 21, 2025, while visiting Charleston, South Carolina. Debra and Donald celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the day she passed away. Debra was co-owner of A-1 Mobile Home Parts and Service and was an active member at Tabernacle Baptist Church, and she loved spending time with her “Baby” miniature dachshund, Seth. Surviving is her husband, Donald R. Walston; daughter, Cindy Walston; son Bobby Walston; sisters Linda White; Karen Taylor; Sharon Turnage, and her husband Carlton; Elizabeth Boyette, and her husband James Head; and Sandra Phillips; special friend and beach buddy, Debbie Viverette (Roger) of Wilson; numerous nieces and nephews. Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Mayzell Boykin Hill of Johnston County; sisters, Marvelene Carico and Imogene Murphy; and brother, William Hill. The funeral was at 10 a.m. June 28 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Joe Shakour. She is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson.




Michael "Troy" Willis, June 23, 2025

Dec. 1, 1968-June 23, 2025

Troy Willis smiles.
Troy Willis
Contributed

Michael “Troy” Willis, son of Patricia Ann Renfrow Willis; brother of Laurie Willis Jordan, and her husband Howard; and Ryan Willis, and his husband Rodney Harkey; died at 56 on June 23, 2025. Troy was born Dec. 1, 1968. He is the son of the late Michael Jay Willis. Troy grew up in Virginia Beach and Currituck and then headed to UNC Chapel Hill, Atlanta ultimately returning to Virginia Beach. Troy was deeply devoted to giving back to those who experienced domestic abuse and older adults in nursing homes, which brought joy not only to his own life but to those around them. Troy was a beloved son, brother, grandson, cherished friend, and a bright light and large presence to this world.




Thomas "Tommy" Arthur Hill, June 27, 2025

June 14, 1961-June 27, 2025

Thomas Arthur Hill headshot
Thomas Arthur Hill
Contributed

Thomas Arthur "Tommy" Hill, Tempy Ann Branch, brother of Gilda "Sis" Hill Cooke, died at 64 on June 27, 2025, at his home in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Tommy was born June 14, 1961, in Surry County, North Carolina. He is the son of the late George Leon and Violet Marie Thomas Hill; and brother of the late Tony Ray Hill and Albert Hill. Tommy was no stranger, always making friends, he loved the lord, devoted Christian. He loved to go fishing and play golf.




Rebecca Ann "Becky" Pedigo Stancil , June 27, 2025

April 8, 1954-June 27, 2025

Becky Pedigo Stancil headshot
Becky Pedigo Stancil
Contributed

Rebecca Ann “Becky” Pedigo Stancil, Henry Branch, mother of Chad Stancil; and sister of Robert Pedigo and Richard Pedigo; died at 71, on June 27, 2025, at home in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Becky was born April 8, 1954, in Covington, Virginia. She is the daughter of the late Lloyd and Lucille Catherine Clark Pedigo; and mother of the late Nathan Alan Stancil. She was a manager at Stop-In in Clifton Forge for many years, and a lifelong member of First Christian Church in Covington. She loved her cat Gretchen. She was a manager at Stop-In in Clifton Forge for many years. She is buried in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor, Virginia.



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