William Thomas Puryear, Sr.

WILLIAM THOMAS PURYEAR, SR., age 79, of Stem, NC passed away Sunday morning, December 8, 2024 at Duke University Hospital. 

Mr. Puryear was born March 29, 1945 in Person County, NC, son of the late William Ballard & Nancy Elizabeth Carver Puryear and was husband of 50 years to the late Patricia Ann Walters Puryear.  He was retired from CSX as a engineer after 39 years of service, was a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church, and was a veteran of the US Air Force.

William enjoyed telling jokes, working with the Railroad, and taking care of his family.   

Surviving are a sister-in-law, Linda Puryear & husband, Albert Hassell, brothers-in-law, Bobby Walters & wife, Rhonda, Johnny Walters & wife, Phyllis, Gene Walters, niece & nephew, Jenny Long & husband, Billy, Joey Snead & wife, Leanne, and a host of other nieces & nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Puryear is preceded in death by a son, William Thomas Puryear, Jr., siblings, Myrtis Stone, Evelyn Roberson, Payton Puryear, Linda Snead, and Winfred “Wimp” Puryear.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2024 in the Strickland and Jones Funeral Services Chapel with Pastor Chad Benefield officiating. Interment will follow in the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends and guests from 11:30 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the home of Linda Puryear, 46 Summer Ridge Road, Roxboro, NC. 

Pallbearers will be Micah Benefield, Daniel Coppock, Brad Lewis, Benji Long, Travis Miller, and Michael Norwood.  Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of CSX.

Arrangements are by Strickland and Jones Memorial Funeral Services, 1810 Durham Road, Roxboro, NC 27573. Online condolences may be made at stricklandandjonesfs.com.

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