William Robbins Sr.

Penderlea-Burgaw – Lt. Col. US Army Ret. William Dudley Robbins Sr., age 86, of Penderlea, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in Burgaw.
He was born February 8, 1921, at Rex Hospital Raleigh, North Carolina, to the late W.H. "Red" Robbins and Izma Jennette Robbins. The family moved to Pender County in 1925 where Dudley graduated from Burgaw High School in 1938. He went on to North Carolina State University where he excelled in his studies and extra-curricular activities, serving as president of the student body, Cadet Colonel of the ROTC, and was a member of the football, baseball, and boxing teams. He graduated with honors in horticulture in May 1942.
Mr. Robbins proudly served in the US Army during WW II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was twice a prisoner of war, and earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge, three Purple Hearts, and two Battle Stars.
Upon being discharged in 1946, he joined the Army Reserve and remained active until 1964 where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel commanding a Combat Engineer Battalion.
Mr. Robbins became a strong advocate of veterans, and veteran's rights. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 165 in Burgaw in 1946, and was elected Post Commander for two years.
He was elected District Commander, State Vice Commander, and in 1957 was elected State Commander. Later he served as National Executive Committeeman, a member of the Legion's National Insurance Committee and a Member of the National Americanism Commission and National Security Commission. He was appointed Chairman of the American Legion National Law and Order Committee for two years. Governor Dan Moore appointed him to the North Carolina Veteran's Commission, and he served under Governor Jim Hunt on the Veteran's Commission as Chairman.
Mr. Robbins served 25 years on the Pender County Board of Education, with 23 years of that as Chairman. He was a strong advocate of the education of our children.
He was very active in community and Civic affairs, having been a Ruritan for 50 plus years, a 50 plus year Mason, a Shriner, a charter member of Pender County Rescue Squad and a charter member of the Penderlea Fire Department. He was active in the Episcopal Church, serving as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and member of the Vestry at Saint Mary's of Burgaw, including three years as Senior Warden.
Mr. Robbins had a deep love of the land and expressed that through gardening and flowers. He founded Robbins Nursery in Penderlea.
Mr. Robbins was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt, which is the highest civilian honor which can be bestowed upon a North Carolinian. He was recently presented a POW Medal in November by Congressman Mike McIntyre.
He is survived by his wife Jacquelyne Gordon Robbins of the home; four sons, William Dudley 'Bill' Robbins Jr. and wife Susan S. of Penderlea, Wilfred Lee 'Red' Robbins and wife June M. of Burgaw, Martin Gordon 'Marty' Robbins and wife Susan M. of Wilmington, and James Thomas 'Jimbo' Robbins and wife Heidi H. of Penderlea; six grandchildren, William Dudley Robbins III, Patrick Sherman Robbins, Abby Lee Robbins, Zachary Gordon Robbins, Andrew Martin Robbins and Camille Marie Robbins; brother-in-law, Paul Lee Gordon; two nephews, Thomas Robbins Jr. and Steve Gordon; two nieces, Carolyn Robbins and Jacquelyn Lee Gordon; and special friend Elma Butler.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 16, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church with the Reverend Father Lawerence Baiatti officiating. Burial will follow in the Burgaw Cemetery with full military honors bestowed by the United States Army.
Pallbearers will be J.E. Ferrell, Dr. Stan Farrior, Ray Pope, Rick Biberstien, Julian Anderson and Charles Smith.
Visitation will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. at Harrell's Funeral Home, and at other times at his residence at 234 Raccoon Rd., Penderlea.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, PO Box 841, Burgaw, NC 28425 or American Legion Post 165, PO Box 1294, Burgaw, NC 28425.
A service of Harrell's Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Burgaw.