William Henry Heath

KINSTON | William Henry Heath, 74, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2017 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family.

Henry was born in Lenoir County on January 24, 1943 to the late Thomas and Maude Heath. He lived a life of dedication to the Lord and was an active lifetime member of Airy Grove Christian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder. He graduated from Contentnea High School and North Carolina State University with a degree in Agriculture. Henry loved to farm and spend time at their coastal home surrounded by his family and his precious, therapy dog Joy. He was active in the community by serving on several boards such as, First Citizens Bank, Farm Credit, Silver Lake Cotton Gin, North Lenoir Water Corporation and Farm Bureau both for 50 years, treasurer of WASA and was a member of the Kinston Parkinson's Support Group. He was also a lifetime member and a Master Mason of the Hookerton Masonic Lodge and a lifetime member and past president of the Lenoir County Shrine Club.

Henry was preceded in death by his first wife of 28 years, Evelyn Albritton Heath. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Judy Harper Heath; four daughters, Karen H. Ter Meer and husband Nathan of Fuquay Varina, Stephanie H. Pope and husband Will of Ayden, Jennifer H. Sutton and husband James of La Grange, Beverly H. McLawhorn and husband Samuel of Deep Run, stepson; Billy Mathis and wife Blair of Concord, stepdaughter; Teri Stock and husband Adam of Florida, 8 grandchildren; Brittany E. TerMeer, Sarah E. TerMeer, Anna Marie Pope, Allen H. Sutton, Olivia E. Sutton, McKinley R. McLawhorn, Sydney F. McLawhorn, S. Heath McLawhorn, 5 step grandchildren; Brennan M. Atwell, Zane Mathis, Devin Cooney, Megan Cooney, Reese Stock, 2 step great grandchildren; Arlo Atwell, Anders Atwell, 2 sisters; Ruina Senkovich and husband Steve of Alexander, Virginia, Marie Murdock of Raleigh, and closest friends; Mike Hardy, Jack Uzzell, and Linwood Sutton. He was also preceded in death by a step grandson Paul Stock.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm at Howard and Carter Funeral Home in the chapel with visitation to follow with Pastor Nelson Killingsworth. Interment will take place on Tuesday morning at 11:00 am at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Airy Grove Christian Church Building Fund, 1591 Airy Grove Church Road, Kinston, NC 28501 or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation for Research and a Cure, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509 NY, NY 10018 or The Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 490 New Bern, NC 28563.

Howard-Carter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to howardandcarter.com or at Kinston.com.