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William Avera Obituary
Attire is ‘farm casual’. The family would prefer visitation at this time. The service will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary at 4:00 pm.
Will was born on November 15, 1958 in Smithfield, NC to Evelyn Southerland Avera and Thomas Samuel Avera. The youngest of five children, he graduated from East Carolina University and was a member of Pi Kappa Pi Fraternity. After graduation, he worked in Greensboro, Boone, and then Santa Monica, CA, where he was the National Sales manager for Tender Box Intl. He moved back to Greensboro and began working for Crown Automobile in 1985. He worked his way up from salesman to President of the company and orchestrated its sale in 1998. He then started coastal Carolina Auto in New Bern, NC which he owned until December 2009.
Will was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. Will enjoyed many activities, including golf, hunting, fishing, boating, snow skiing, and supporting his East Carolina Pirates and UNC Tar Heels. Will was a member of Greensboro Country Club, Grandfather Golf & Country Club, New Bern GCC, Eagle Point, Cape Fear Mens Club and Jones Island.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ingrid Reynolds Avera; their daughter, Ashley, a rising senior at UNC-CH, and a son William, a rising freshman at Appalachian State; his twin sister, Susan Olivia Avera of Smithfield, NC; and siblings, Charles Southerland Avera of New Bern, NC, Samuel Thomas Avera, Jr. of Southern Pines, NC, Emma Alice Avera Gummell of Smithfield, NC and his father, Samuel Thomas Avera of Smithfield, NC.
Will was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Leukemia/Lymphoma 12 years ago. He and his family were very grateful for the devoted care of the team at Duke Hospital, specifically Dr. Joe Moore and Dr. David Yoo, along with “Mr. A’s” crew of nurses and residents on the 9th floor.
Will was a wonderful and giving father and husband, and was loved by many. He had the gift of knowing and understanding the human mind on a deep intellectual and spiritual basis. He was a great communicator and had a generosity of self and spirit that he shared throughout his lifetime. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to the Duke Cancer Center, or to the Evelyn Southerland Avera scholarship fund c/o The First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield.
Online condolences may be sent to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Avera
Allan Haddock
April 1, 2025
It's been almost 15 years, and I haven't forgotten you. You were a great leader, and the knowledge you shared with me during our run in New Bern with the Chevy, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Honda store was a big accomplishment. The opportunity you gave me and the mentorship to run the business for you have led me to a very successful career and beyond. No doubt heaven was open for you while you were smiling and trying to figure out how to make money up there. Miss you brother
Alan Britt
August 5, 2022
It's been 12 years today 08/05/2022. You will always be in my head and in my heart.
Jeff Kearns
August 24, 2010
Ingrid, my deepest Sympathy for your loss. Will and I were Pi Kapps together at ECU many years ago but I still have many great memories of him and how he always "Classed Up" our group. I will have you and the family in my prayers and may God bless you all.
Julie Luther
August 17, 2010
Ingrid, I am so sad for your husband's passing. I heard while away on vacation and wish I could have come to his memorial. I am sure there were many there to celebrate his life. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Love and Peace to you, Julie Luther
Paul Hulth
August 14, 2010
My heartfelt condolences go out to your family. I grew up with Will in Smithfield and I have many good memories and shared many good times with him. He was a good man and will be missed greatly. Heaven has recieved another angel.
Anna Johnson
August 11, 2010
I never saw Will a single time without a big smile on his face. During this difficult time, I hope remembering that smile will bring a smile to yours.
Steve Dickens
August 10, 2010
Ingrid, Ashley and William -
I pray for peace and comfort to you and all who knew Will over this heartbreaking loss. Will was my fraternity pledge brother and dear friend. I was able to speak to him by phone a few weeks ago and will cherish that conversation forever. I miss him already.
Geoff Lassiter
August 10, 2010
Ingrid, I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Will. I met Will throw Ken Miller when I worked at Wake Forest. Will always had a great big smile on his face every time I was around him. My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family in this diffcult time.
Kristy Troutman
August 9, 2010
Ingrid, I am Brad Troutman's sister, Kristy, and knew Will at ECU.He was always a great person loved by many. I send prayers and thoughts to you, the children, Sue and all of Will's family. Please know that you have so many thoughts and prayers coming your way. May you find peace in knowing that Will is your guardian angel always.
David Nash
August 9, 2010
Ingrid...my deepest sympathy on your loss. Will and I were fraternity brothers at ECU. We were also room mates for a crazy fall semester in 1981. I have so many fond memories of Will and was so proud of the man he became. May God bless you and your family in your time of need.
Christi Norris Fillippeli
August 9, 2010
I knew Will from ECU. I was a Little Sister for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity that he was a member of. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Steve McBride
August 9, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Will's passing. I knew Will from East Carolina and enjoyed his friendship. I will be praying that God will pour out His peace and comfort for the Avera Family.
Doug and Camille Marlowe
August 9, 2010
There are many sad people today as we remember Will and all that he meant to us. We have great memories of wonderful times together at ECU and Pi Kappa Phi. His smile was contagious, his energy inspiring, and his friendship priceless. Ingrid and the entire Avera family, we wish for you comfort and peace during this sad time. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all.
Nick Avera
August 9, 2010
Dear Ingrid,
I'm so sorry for your loss and for not making it to the funeral. I don't think I've ever met you and I only saw Will rarely through the years. I always felt a certain closeness to Will, however. He and my father and brother bear such a strong resemblance to each other. I've always thought that was remarkable.
My thought and prayers are with you and your children during these trying times.
Nick Avera
Yonges Island, SC
Tina Rimmer
August 9, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this very difficult time. Tina Deese Rimmer
Randy lANGLEY
August 9, 2010
I knew Will at East Carolina..we were in the same Fraternity.I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers
Randy Langley
August 9, 2010
My deepest sympathy's to Will's family. I remember when Will started at Crown, and when He and Irgrid started dating. May you find peace in knowing that he is in God's hands and may your pain be soothed by the love of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Bob Kennedy
Crown Auto Group
80-87
August 9, 2010
I had the priviledge of working for Will in New Bern for 2 plus years. The way in which he taught me made me a better person more than a better employee. He will always be with me in my heart and my mind. We will all miss him. Will loved this quote for his staff and it is so fitting now I beleive " when was the last time you looked for something you didn't think you had lost ". We have lost a great one and we will continue to search for one like him again. Many prayers for the Avera family at this time.
Stephanie Hudson
August 9, 2010
My deepest sympathies to the Avera family. Will was such a true gentleman and an inspiration to anyone who met him. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Shelia Comer
August 9, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jamison Garrish
August 9, 2010
Ingrid, Ashley and William; my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I feel very fortunate to have worked for Will and to have been introduced to you and all of his family. May you find comfort in the many wonderful memories you have. I will miss his smile and many words of wisdom. May God be with you and your family and give you the strength that you need.
Jack Long
August 9, 2010
Ingrid
May you and your family find comfort in God and let WILL memories help you find peace and understanding.WILL was a good and caring man.My days with him at Crown I will always cherish.May God bless you all.
Pat Pascarella
August 9, 2010
My deepest Sympathy to Ingid and the family. From the first day he started at Crown I knew he was special and that he was. He is in a better place and may he rest in piece.
August 9, 2010
Gary and I remember Will as such a kind and friendly person when we met during the September weekend two years ago. It is interesting how our lives have intertwined. At first our family became friends with Sue and Em, then Olivia. Our daughter goes to college and becomes friends with Ashley and we meet Will and Ingrid. God Bless you all.
August 9, 2010
INGRID
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE CHILDREN. WILL WAS THE VERY BEST AND A GOOD FRIEND. WE WILL MISS HIM A LOT.
MIKE AND LYNN HALEY
Cora Lee Hudson
August 9, 2010
Will Avera was very inspirational to me as well as anyone he touched in this life. An honest kind and loving man to all that he came in contact with. He will most certainly be missed by so many people, its sad to see such a good man have to leave this earth at such a tender age. He is in peace now thank God. To Ingrid and your family, I pray that God will give you the comfort you need during the coming days and months ahead to sustain you from the loss of your dear husband and Father of your children. I love you and loved Will very much and I will miss his visits and cheerful smile at the store as he often came by. God love you all. Love, Cora Lee Hudson
Troy & Rachel Mills
August 8, 2010
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
John & Kathryn Kinney
August 8, 2010
We send our sincere sympathy to the Avera family. Thinking of all of you during this time. We are friends of Tom & Marinda.
Paula Radford-Bowen
August 8, 2010
To Sue, Ingrid and all of Will's Family.. your loss is God's gain. Will was a "people person" he was loved and was a friend to many people. He will be missed but never forgotten. REMEMBER.. our life on ear is a mere second compared to eternity. When your trust is in the Lord.. .. we will be together again.. forever!
August 8, 2010
I will miss Will's guidance and counsel. He helped run and move forward the Jones Island Club in many ways - always achieving a postive outcome. I extend my heart felt condelences.
Robb Teer
August 8, 2010
My condolences to you. Good boss and friend and will be missed.
Tom Rady, Piolt
Stanley Davis
August 8, 2010
My Heart goes out to Will's family. Will and I sold cars together at Crown Automotive in Greensboro in the 80s. Will was "Class Act." I have thought of him often and have truly missed seeing him over the years. And, I will continue to miss Will. And, he will live on in our hearts. Will Avera - a truly remarkable being and a "stand-up guy."
Peace and Love to Ingrid, the kids and the entire family,
Yours truly,
Stanley Davis
Asheboro, NC
[email protected]
Sarah Merriman
August 8, 2010
Ingrid, I will always remember Will's wonderful smile. He was a great husband, father and person. My heart is with you and your children as you struggle with loosing him.
Love, Sarah
Vicky Foote
August 8, 2010
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your great loss.
Debbie Lyon Lineberry
August 8, 2010
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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