William Respess

Mr. William "Wallace" Respess, 78, a resident of 5739 Christian School Road, Pantego, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 14, 2007 at Beaufort County Hospital. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home in Washington, N.C. officiated by Ray West. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens. His grandchildren, Clay Respess, Charly Respess, Alex Haddock, Will Respess, Cameron Meador and Peyton Morris will serve as pallbearers. Rhonda Respess, David Hrupsa and Billy Snow will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Respess was born in the Terra Ceia Community of Beaufort County on Dec. 5, 1928, son of the late John Henry Respess and Elizabeth Bowen Respess. On Dec. 24, 1946, he married the former Hilda Everett who survives. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a retired farmer and co-owner of Respess Trucking, Inc. Wallace was a member of Terra Ceia Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon for a number of years. Wallace had a passion for life and lived it to the fullest. He loved to talk with people, was an avid Ford racing fan, loved to read, travel and eat peanut butter and chocolate. He loved life and spending time with his family. Wallace was a free spirit who knew no stranger and has left a void in many lives that can't be filled. In addition to his wife, Hilda of the home, he is survived by his two sons, William Wallace Respess Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Hickory, Charles Keith Respess and his wife, Sally, of Pantego; two daughters Martha Respess Morris and her husband, Donnie, of Bath, Robin Respess Haddock and her husband, Dickie, of Grimesland; his grandchildren, William Wallace Respess III, Catherine Maria Respess, John Clay Respess and his wife, Bonnie, Charles Keith Respess Jr., Cameron Morris Meador and her husband, Joe, Peyton Ashe Morris, Robin Alexander Haddock and Nicholas Christian Haddock. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Lindsay Jordan Respess and Morgan Leigh Respess. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, "Big" Berl Respess, J. Henry Respess and twin brothers, Earl and Berl Respess; and his sister, Elizabeth Snow Zepke. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Paul Funeral Home in Washington and other times at the home located at 5739 Christian School Road, Pantego. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Pinetown Rescue & EMS, P.O. Box 69, Pinetown, NC 27865. You may address your condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com. Paul Funeral Home of Washington, N.C. is serving the Respess Family.