Dr. Willard Troy Blevins

1944 - 2025

Dr. Willard Troy Blevins

February 19, 1944 - November 9, 2025

Dr. Willard Troy Blevins of Opelika, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 81 on Sunday November 9, 2025. He was born on February 19, 1944, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to Reid and Bessie Ellis Blevins. He graduated from West Wilkes High School in 1962 as class Valedictorian after which he obtained his bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in 1966 and his PhD in Microbiology from North Carolina State University in 1971. While there, he was a member of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society.

Willard was married to Myrtle Ruth Broyhill, his high-school sweetheart, in 1966, and they were together for over 60 years. He spent many years as a well-loved and respected Associate Professor of Microbiology at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, during which time he received the Margaret M. Green Award for teaching excellence. After retirement from Auburn University, he formed his own successful environmental bioremediation company, Suncrest Laboratories.

Everyone who knew Willard knew of his love of music. Over the years, he enjoyed singing and playing guitar in a local bluegrass band called In Cahoots and even had a write-up of the band in Bluegrass Unlimited. In his later years he was heavily involved with the annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival on the Gulf Coast and loved assisting with and organizing local songwriters' house concerts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reid and Bessie Blevins; his brother-in- law, Daryl West (Brenda); and his beloved grandson, Ryan Lisenba.

He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Broyhill Blevins of Opelika, AL; daughter, Tonya Blevins Lisenba (Barry) of Motevallo, AL; son, Cameron Blevins (Barbara) of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Haley Lisenba Bagnall (Jeremy), William Blevins, and Anna Blevins; great-grandchildren, Barrett and Calloway "Callie" Bagnall; sisters, Linda Blevins of North Wilkesboro, NC and Brenda Blevins West of Elkin, NC, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

A Visitation was held at Welcome Home Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Tuesday November 18, 2025, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM with The Rev. Joel Blevins officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. A local memorial service in the Auburn/Opelika area will be planned later.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.