Bill R. James of Holden Beach and formerly of Raeford died in First Health Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke Campus on June 16, 2023, at the age of 77.
He was born June 1, 1946 in Anderson, South Carolina to the late Joseph R. James and Myrtie Angeline Herring James.
After high school, he served in the United States Army from July 1965 through July 1968 and was awarded the following medals and badges: Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal and Purple Heart.
Later, he attended UNC Pembroke and retired from Ingersoll Rand before he and his wife Diane retired to Holden Beach in 2006. There they settled easily into the area's active coastal retirement community. They became advocates in support of senior issues and joined organizations whose missions address the rights of seniors to live their lives with purpose, independence, dignity, good health and happiness.
He always enjoyed learning new things and had a wide range of interests and talents that included vegetable and flower gardening, reading, playing board games, being a community volunteer with Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, raising a small flock of bantam chickens, oil painting, dining out in his favorite restaurants and most of all, traveling throughout the United States to vacation destinations with historical landmarks and other significant points of interest. Also, he was a faithful member of United Vision Pentecostal Church in Shallotte until declining health intervened.
However, an obituary for him would certainly not be complete without mentioning his delightful and spontaneous sense of humor. He had an innate ability not only to observe but also to express humorously many of life's ordinary interactions and events. Also, to his credit and to everyone's amusement, he was a really talented mimic with really great comedic timing.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his loving and caring wife of 55 years, Beverly Diane Bass James.
He is survived by two brothers, Joseph James (Erlene) and Jim James, both of South Carolina; two very special nieces, Brantley Elizabeth Bass of Raleigh, and Melissa Aiken Partain of Anderson, South Carolina; brother-in-law, Tony E. Bass (Rosa) of Raeford; several nieces and nephews from the James' family; and two wonderfully loving and supportive neighbors, Doug, and Judy Todd of Holden Beach.
With respect to Bill's wishes, there will be no funeral services and his remains will be inurned in the Bass' family plot in the Raeford City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring his memory by making a donation to one of the following organizations that he supported: Wounded Warrior Project, Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bright Focus Foundation, United Vision Pentecostal Church, Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc.