Marion F. Barnhill Sr.

MARION F. BARNHILL, SR. Marion F. Barnhill, Sr., of Cary, NC, died peacefully on October 25, 2013 surrounded by his family. Marion was born October 29, 1916 in Wilmington, NC to John and Ella Barnhill. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Marion spent his early years in Hampstead and graduated from Topsail High School. He enlisted in the military and fought in World War II and the Korean conflict. While flying a B-17 on his eighth mission over Germany, his plane was shot down. He and his crew survived the crash landing and spent 18 months as prisoners of war. After retiring from the military, he worked for the State of North Carolina in the Employment Security Commission. He managed offices in New Bern and Wilmington and served on the Wilmington Council of Governments. He was very active in the American Legion. He loved the history of the local area and was the author of "Vignettes of Hampstead...and Other Exotic Places." He loved God, his family, his community and his country and spent his entire life serving them. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Ruby Griffin Barnhill, his second wife, Belva Engberson Barnhill and by his daughter, Mary Barnhill. He is survived by his daughters, Virginia (Ivon), Elizabeth, Sarah and Grace (Joseph) and his sons Marion (Karen) and John (LaDonna), his older sister, Sadie Skipper and 59 grandchildren and great grandchildren and Belva Barnhill's seven children and 78 grandchildren and great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family will receive friends at Andrews Mortuary, 1617 Market Street, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013 and one hour before the service at the church. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 514 S. College Road in Wilmington. Interment will follow in the LDS cemetery in Hampstead. Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com Andrews Market Chapel Service