David Winbourn Tant

LILESVILLE – On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Mr. David Winbourn Tant, 87, passed away peacefully at Richmond County Hospice Haven in Rockingham.

David was born January 31, 1939, in Wake County, NC and was a son of the late William John Tant and the late Sarah Jane White Tant. He was a graduate of Cary High School and a veteran of the United States Air Force spending most of his time stationed in Puerto Rico.

In 1966, he graduated from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol School and was stationed in Anson County soon after. He spent his entire career with NCSHP in Anson County, retiring with 30 years of service. Following his retirement, he always looked forward to the annual retiree dinner at the highway patrol school, attending them all until his health prevented him.

During his tenure with the patrol, he had a reputation of being tough, yet fair. Although he received several complaints, he also received numerous commendations for his good work throughout his years of service.

David was a member of the Albemarle Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he served as a deacon and on various committees within the church.

He was an avid golfer and was a member of Twin Valley Country Club, now, Twin Valley Golf Club and he looked forward to a golf match with his friends anywhere around.

A jack of all trades, he enjoyed working in the yard, feeding and watching the birds and fox squirrels. He was an artist and excelled in oil painting. He was meticulous in all that he did.

David will be remembered for being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Betty Hildreth Tant; his daughters, Wendy Treadaway (Reid Hayes) of Monroe and Nancy Honeycutt (Scottie) of Lilesville; his grandchildren, Dr. Taylor Treadaway of Raleigh, Laci Treadaway of Locust, Rachel Watson of Rockingham, Brock Watson and Garrison Honeycutt, both of Lilesville; his brother-in-law, Charles Hildreth of Tennessee and sister-in-law, Barbara “BJ” Kiker (Paul) of Polkton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Lois Keith, Lucille Spence, Larue Kelly, Atlas Tant, Phillip Tant, Kathey Hair, and Thurman Tant.

The family is eternally grateful to the staff of Richmond County Hospice Haven for the kind and compassionate manner in which they cared for him and supported them during the past few weeks.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Moyer and Rev. Randy Storz officiating. Interment will follow in Anson Memorial Park.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Albemarle Seventh Day Adventist Church, 33310 Hobe Rd., Albemarle, NC 28001; or to, Richmond County Hospice Haven, 1119 N US 1 HWY, Rockingham, NC 28379; or to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Foundation, PO Box 4875, Mooresville, NC 28117 or on their website at www.ncshpfoundation.org

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com