Thomas M. Piner Sr.

FAYETTEVILLE - Thomas McNeil Piner Sr., 88, of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Mr. Piner was born Oct. 10, 1922, in Cumberland County to the late Benjamin W. Piner and Naomi Bulla Piner. Mr. Piner was the founder and operator of Piner Oil Co. and a member of NCPMA. He served in the Navy in World War II on the USS Warren in the Pacific. He graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Mr. Piner was a member of several organizations such as the Phoenix Lodge, Knights of Pythias, The Sudan Temple, Wildlife Club, Kiwanis Club and the Brotherhood of St. Andrews. He was a former Kiwanis Man of the Year, as well as chancelor-commander of the Knights of Pythias from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Piner was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church until his illness. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dignor, Oscar, Andrew, Samuel and Patrick; and a sister, Sarah. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Violet Jones Piner of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth P. Hedgecoe and husband Lee of Eastover; a son, Thomas McNeil Piner Jr. of Fayetteville; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth and Berton Hedgecoe, Neil, Jessica and Victoria Piner. Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville today, Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Ray Brown officiating. He will be laid to rest with Masonic burial rites in Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Knights of Pythias Scholarship, 210 E. Russell St., Fayetteville, NC 28301. Services entrusted to Rogers and Breece Funeral Home of Fayetteville.