Clyde Harold Bias, Jr.

Mr. Clyde Harold Bias, Jr. passed away Friday evening, February 8, 2013 in Raleigh after a wonderful and fulfilled life. “Bus” was born 85 years ago in his beloved Salisbury on September 6, 1927, the only child of the late Clyde Harold Bias, senior and Thelma Jackson Bias. Bus will always be remembered for his quiet and abiding faith in God and complete love and devotion to his family. Bus and Mary Katherine were married on June 11, 1948. Their 58 year marriage was filled happiness, laughter and sheer joy. Mr. Bias was educated in the Salisbury City Schools and Catawba College. While at Boyden High School, he played the bass horn in the famous Boyden Band. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Marine Corps. Bus was stationed at Quantico, Virginia where he was a proud member of the President’s Own United States Marine Corps Band. He often shared what an honor it was to play for a variety of functions but the most meaningful was playing for the services honoring those that gave the ultimate sacrifice at Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Bias is survived by his only daughter, Stephanie Elaine Bias of Raleigh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Katherine Feezor Bias, on November 5, 2006. He is also survived by his nieces: Dr. Barbara Feezor-Buttes and her husband Ronald of Lincoln, Nebraska and Carol Feezor Hendrix and her husband, Dennis of Roanoke, Virginia. Also surviving are his nephews, Michael Lamont Feezor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Leston Wright and his wife, Carol of Brunswick, Georgia. Bus practiced his faith in his childhood at Maupin Avenue Presbyterian Church in Salisbury. He was a long time, active member of First Baptist Church, Salisbury. He was ordained as a Deacon, served as a Trustee and was the former Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee. He also sung in the Chancel Choir. He was a former member of the Robert Monroe Davis, senior Sunday School Class and the Emmanuel Sunday School Class. He also served on the Sound Team and was a member of the Baptist Men. In 1983, he was proud to serve on a mission trip to Columbia with his fellow church members. For the past four years, Bus has been active at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh. He enjoyed his time spent with the various activities of the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) and the Senior High School Sunday School Class. He formed a special bond with each of the young people. His professional career was spent as a Yardmaster with Norfolk Southern Railway (formerly Southern Railway). He retired in 1989 after 42 years of service. He was a member of the United Transportation Union. Bus was also a volunteer fireman with the East Spencer Fire Department earlier in his life. After retirement, he enjoyed providing nutritional meals to the children of Head Start at the Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council. He also proudly served as an honorary Volunteer with the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and the North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol Program at the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He “starred” in several media efforts including television commercials and educational and outreach capacities for SHIIP. He enjoyed meeting Medicare beneficiaries from across the state and country in his travels with Stephanie. During the past year, he has been blessed to make new friends at the Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh. Bus was a 60 year member of Spencer Lodge #543, AF & AM and was a Past Master of the Lodge. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies as well as the Oasis Shrine Temple. He was a member of Spencer Chapter #31, Order of the Eastern Star and was a Past Patron. Bus was awarded the Grand Cross of Color, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls for distinguished service in 1971. He was very devoted to Salisbury Assembly #35 and to the Grand Assembly of North Carolina during Stephanie’s year as Grand Worthy Advisor. Bus was a golfer all of his life. He especially enjoyed playing in the former Goode Crowder Labor Day Tournament at the Salisbury Country Club which was named for his first cousin. He loved to spend time at the beach with his family and friends. His days were filled with playing golf, spending time fishing in the surf, on piers and boats as well as enjoying the unmatched beauty of the sunrises and sunsets at his beloved home, Fun Quarters at Cherry Grove and later at Pelican’s Roost in Atlantic Beach as well in Beaufort. Bus appreciated a wide variety of music throughout his life. He especially enjoyed attending the North Carolina Symphony Summerfest Series held at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. Bus and Stephanie shared their last “Daddy-Daughter Date” recently to hear Tony Bennett perform. You are cordially invited to celebrate Bus and his life on Thursday at First Baptist Church of Salisbury at 11 in the morning with Dr. Kenneth Lance, First Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Robert C. Sawyer, Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Stephanie will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30 until 10:30 in the Church Parlor. On Wednesday evening, a visitation will also be held from 6 until 8 at her parents’ home, 1506 South Rowan Avenue, Spencer. In lieu of flowers, please honor Bus through memorials to causes dear to his heart: The Good Shepherds’ Clinic, First Baptist Church, 223 North Fulton Street, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144; Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center, Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603; or EYC New York Mission Trip, Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27602-1762. When you see a sunrise or sunset at the beach, play a round of golf, dance with your daughter, enjoy some delicious seafood, hear a train whistle blow, listen to your favorite music, extend the hand of friendship to those that cross your path, love and make treasured memories with your family, you have honored Bus’ legacy. All of these are a priceless Gifts from God. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Clyde Harold Bias, Jr.

September 6, 1927 - February 8, 2013