HAMLET — Dr. William Roy Peele, 85, of Hamlet passed away Friday, March 19, 2021 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
He was born May 22, 1935, in Hamlet, a son of the late Samuel Patrick and Willie Frances Strickland Peele.
He was president of Hamlet High School Student Body and played four years of football. He graduated from UNC in 1957. While a student, he served in the student legislature and was a member of the Student Board of Directors for UNC Married Student Housing.
After graduation, he taught school in Rockingham for two years and was chairman of the Science Department and assistant football coach. In 1961, he entered UNC School of Dentistry and was president of the freshman and sophomore classes. He graduated in 1965 from UNC School of Dentistry and was in the top three of his class.
Dr. Peele practiced dentistry in Bennettsville, South Carolina for 38 years before retiring. He was on the Dentistry Peer Review Committee for S.C. Board of Dentistry for two years, helping solve problems between young dentists and their patients and between dentists and insurance companies. After retiring from dentistry in Bennettsville in 2003, he practiced part time in a dental clinic in Dillion, South Carolina for 10years and finally retired again in 2013.
Having been a member of the First Baptist Church in Hamlet since he was 12 years old, Dr. Peele loved his family, his Lord, the beach, golf and fishing.
A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hamlet with Dr. Allison Farrah and the Rev. Randy Bishop officiating. Due to COVD-19, please wear a face covering and practice social distancing.
Surviving, his wife of 41 years, Brenda Brumbles Peele of Hamlet; two daughters, Pam Peele Brogdon (Jim) of Pinopolis, South Carolina, and Kim Peele Newton (Steve)of Morrisville; five grandchildren, Meredith Gallagher (Ryan), Ashleigh Brogdon Rury (Jeremy), James E. Brogdon, III (Elizabeth), Steven C. Newton II (Stacy), Kathryn Newton Heustess (Kyle); 10 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Rhyne Garris; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dr. Peele was predeceased by a brother, Samuel Patrick Peele Jr.; and sisters, Louise Peele Garris, Lois Peele Snell, Mary Frances Peele Howard.
The family will receive friends at The Peele home at 104 Dogwood Lane, Hamlet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may made to:
First Baptist Church
208 Charlotte St.
Hamlet, NC 28345
or
Richmond Co. Humane Society,
P.O. Box 2064
Rockingham, NC 28380
Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Peele family.
