James "Robert" McNeill, age 75, of Raeford, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2012. He was born on March 3, 1937 in Raeford to William John McNeill and Addie Baker McNeill. He grew up in Raeford and graduated from Raeford High School.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Alona Mussmann McNeill. He is also survived by his loving daughters, Susan McNeill Powell, husband Paul, and Nancy McNeill Peterson, husband Jeff, all of Wilmington. He is also survived by his grandson Chase McNeill Peterson, who he affectionately called "my little buddy." He is survived by brothers, Lewis McNeill and wife Sarah Louise McNeill, St. Pauls, and Floyd McNeill and wife Joye McNeill, Raeford; sisters Janie McNeill Barbour and husband Eugene Barbour, Fayetteville, and Lucille McNeill Burkhart and husband Richard Burkhart, Edith McNeill Newton and husband Edwin Newton, both of Raeford. He is also survived by Melva Mussmann Nielsen and Richard Nielsen of Weeping Water, Nebraska, and Carol Mussmann Jordan and Larry Jordan and Gordan Mussmann, all of Lincoln, Nebraska.
He was also blessed with an abundance of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother William Edward McNeill and wife Hazel, and sister Margaret McNeill Willis and husband Clarence.
He served four years in the United States Air Force and then began a 16- year career with the US Postal Service. His interest in agriculture afforded him the opportunity for his career path to lead to farming, which he dearly loved.
His proudest accomplishments were his 52 years with Alona, his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandson. He was devoted to his family and friends and certainly never met a stranger.
He was a member of Galatia Presbyterian Church where he served on the board of deacons and was a dedicated fireman at Puppy Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and served as the chairman of the board of directors.
A service will be held to celebrate his life on December 22, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Galatia Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Galatia Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 8800 Galatia Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304 or the charity of your choice. Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford, NC will serve the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.