Paul Edsel Waff Jr.

1953 - 2018

Paul Edsel Waff, Jr.

EDENTON - Paul Edsel Waff, Jr., 65, of 401 Court Street, died Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Paul was born in Chowan County on January 31, 1953, and was the son of Sarah Hollowell Waff of Edenton, and the late Paul Edsel Waff, Sr.

A graduate of John A. Holmes High School, and North Carolina State University, he was a part of his family's business, Waff Brothers, Inc., learning everything there is to know about running heavy equipment, foundation work, bridge demolition, and pile driving. He eventually became the sole owner of what is now Waff Contracting. Some of the projects of which he was most proud include moving the Roanoke River Lighthouse and designing and building the pier and breakwater on Edenton's waterfront; helping with the move of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; and numerous collaborations with NCDOT to protect Highway 12 after many northeasters and hurricanes. Because of his knowledge of his work, he was selected and served on the NC Board of Transportation.

Paul was a man of many interests and talents. He was a collector on a grand scale. He was a dancer, a storyteller with an endless repertoire of stories, a lover of the water, the outdoors, and of nature.

He was most proud of his family, often saying he had the perfect childhood. Family, especially his children and grandchildren, were everything to him. He also loved his family at Waff Contracting, some of whom have been with the company for over 40 years.

Above all, Paul was generous man. There are very few who were not touched in some way by his kindness. As a final act of generosity, Paul provided lifesaving organs to five people in need of transplantsa most unselfish gift from a most unselfish man.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Ginny Gardner Waff; a daughter, Stephanie Waff Powell, and husband, Jeffrey Tayloe Powell, and their children, Sarah Ann Powell and Jeffrey Tayloe Powell, Jr., of Edenton; a son, Cameron Paul Waff, also of Edenton; a step-son, William Gardner Culpepper of Raleigh; his sister, Deborah Sue Waff of Edenton; as well as several nieces, nephews, and an extended family.

A visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton.

Following a private family burial, a service celebrating his life will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the Edenton United Methodist Church, and will be officiated by his pastor, The Rev. Malone Gilliam. A reception will be held in the Family Life Center of the church immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Chowan Hospital, P.O. Box 629, Edenton, NC 27932; to the Lawrence Academy School Safety and Security Fund, P.O. Box 70, Merry Hill, NC 27957, or to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.millerfhc.com. As published in The Daily Advance