William Arthur Willmotte

William Arthur Willmotte, 96, formerly of Granite Quarry passed away Monday, February 16, 2015 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Born February 12, 1919 in Bladen County, he was the son of the late Walter Raleigh Willmotte and Bessie Richard Willmotte. He was educated in the Bladen County schools and attended Kelly High School. Mr. Wilmotte was a veteran of the US Navy during World War II where he served as a Pharmacist First Mate and a corpsman on the hospital ship USS Sanctuary. Mr. Willmotte was employed for Rowan Cotton Mills and served as a substitute mail carrier on Route 1 for the Salisbury Post Office for 14 years. He was a member of Wittenburg Lutheran Church, served on the Church Council, David Lohr Sunday School Class, Peeler-Wood-Livengood American Legion Post 448 and served as a volunteer fireman for Granite Quarry Fire Department. He cared for his wife at home before her passing and enjoyed fishing, gardening, his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Fannie Elizabeth Trexler Willmotte on January 6, 2007; daughter, Daphne “Gail” Ralston on September 19, 2014 and his sister, Bessie Willmotte Chason on December 28, 2000. Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Jean Willmotte Stirewalt and husband Buddy of Salisbury, Joan Willmotte Gasque of Salisbury; grandchildren, Jeannie Bailey and husband Michael of Clemson, SC, Veronica Hobbs and husband Mike of Salisbury, Josh Lesley and wife Tiffany of Salisbury, Cody Gasque of Salisbury, Cadie Gasque of Salisbury, Clay Stirewalt and wife Michelle of Rockwell; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Gabrielle, Cortlinn, Haven, Hadley, Hunter, Henley, Caleb, Shelby, and Landon; a special cousin, Leona Owen and several loving nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 9:45-11 AM Thursday (Feb. 19) at Wittenburg Lutheran Church. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 AM Thursday at Wittenburg Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kim Trabold, officiating. Interment will follow at Wittenburg Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the NC National Guard. Memorials may be made to Wittenburg Lutheran Church, PO Box 345, Granite Quarry, NC 28072 or the NC State Veterans Home, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144. The family would like to extend their appreciation for the loving care he received from his special nurses at the NC State Veterans Home.

William Arthur Willmotte

February 12, 1919 - February 16, 2015