ELLERBE — Willard Thomas McFayden, 90, of Ellerbe, passed away on July 19, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Born Nov. 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 U.S. Army, attaining the rank of captain. He then returned to Ellerbe, married Enid Lancaster of Green Sea, South Carolina, 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, Georgia. 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. 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 p.m. on Friday, July 22 at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe.
Due to the predicted warm temperatures for Friday, the family encourages attendees to dress casually.
Condolences may be made online at carterfuneral.net.
