Willard Thomas McFayden

Willard Thomas McFayden, 90, of Ellerbe, NC passed away on July 19, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC.

Born November 20, 1931 to the late Alec and Etta McFayden, Willard was a graduate of Ellerbe High School and Presbyterian College.  After college he served in the US Army, attaining the rank of Captain.   He then returned to Ellerbe, married Enid Lancaster of Green Sea, SC, and joined the family poultry business.  In 1967 he accepted a traveling sales job with BioLab, and in 1982 he became a sales manager for the company and relocated to Atlanta GA.  A debilitating stroke in 1985 led to Willard's early retirement and return to Ellerbe. 

Willard possessed an outgoing nature, a strong will, and an enduring faith.  He enjoyed seeing new places and meeting new people, and he always welcomed a good story, funny joke, or friendly conversation.  Till the end he maintained a good sense of humor.  Willard lived his final years at Vienna Village Assisted Living in Pfafftown, NC.  While there he made many new friends, but he always looked forward to cards, letters, emails, and visits from folks back home.

Willard was predeceased by his wife Enid, son Willard Thomas McFayden, Jr. (Tommy), sisters Jean and Lillian, and brothers Colon and Ralph. He is survived by son Gregory (Shannon), daughter Jane Buck (Ron), granddaughters Tyler Latimer (Powell), Lauren McFayden, Audrey Buck, and Ellen Buck, brothers Harold and Robert (Marie), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, July 22 at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe, NC.

Due to the predicted warm temperatures for Friday, the family encourages attendees to dress casually.