Billy C. Weatherford

Always doing for others and putting others first, making all around him laugh even during bad times, caring, compassionate, strong-willed, determined, optimistic " the light of our lives, our anchor. He has gone home to the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. Billy C. Weatherford of Wilmington, N.C., died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004.

He was born Sept. 12, 1940, the son of the late Freddie and Grace Weatherford of Darlington. He was the husband and best friends for 27 years of Judy Nelson Weatherford; proud father of three boys, Steve Weatherford of Monroe, N.C., Rob Weatherford of Wilson, N.C., and Trent Weatherford of Wilmington, N.C.; Pe Paw to two very special grandsons, Matt Weatherford and Zack Weatherford of Wilson, N.C.; and Pe Paw to a constant and loving bagel dog, Sam.

Also surviving, sister, Mary Jeffords of Darlington; a brother, Bruce Weatherford of Darlington; daughter-in-law, Melanie Weatherford of Wilson, N.C., daughter-in-law to be, Ashley Clark of Wilmington, N.C.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Faye and Dallas Nelson of Jonesville; sister-in-law, Cathy Orr, and brother-in-law, Kent Orr of Union; and brother-in-law, Leon Nelson of Chapin. Billy was predeceased by two brothers, Gene Weatherford and Harris Bo Weatherford of Darlington.

Billy worked in retail for more than 40 years. He was manager of Maxway in Carolina Beach, N.C., for almost 20 years. He was manager of Edwards Department Stores in Union during the mid 1970s. Billy was a member of Cape Fear Free Will Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 28, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, Wilmington, N.C.

Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, in Oleander Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Cape Fear Free Will Baptist Church, 5350 Holly Tree Road, Wilmington, NC 28409, or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 725 A Wellington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28401