William D. “Bill” Brookshire, 99, of Ellerbe, passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at Richmond County Hospice Haven in Rockingham.
Mr. Brookshire was born Aug. 18, 1924 in Montgomery County, North Carolina, to the late Joe and Jessie Brewer Brookshire.
He loved his country and served in the United States Army during World War II where he was a tail gunner on a B-52 bomber aircraft. After serving his country, and completing 25 successful missions, he came back home and began to be a saw miller. He would tell stories of how saw milling back then was nothing like today; with the help of horses and mules, logging and milling was completed onsite. After sawmilling, Bill became an avid farmer, where he would farm tobacco in a time where everything was done by hand from priming to curing. He always had a garden that was so plentiful everyone was able to enjoy.
Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret Ussery Brookshire; brothers and sisters, Edith East (Farley), Whit Brookshire, Mary Florence Dennis (C.D.), Josephine Stuart (Lindberg), Rush Brookshire (Dorothy), Janice Voncannon (Bill); nieces and nephews, Debbie Cullers, Margaret McRae, Joyce Talbert McRae, Calvin Vuncannon, Billy Joe Vuncannon, Martha Ann Ramirez and Carson Dennis.
Surviving are nieces and nephews, Marshall “Mark” Thompson (Donna), Patricia “Trish” McGee (Wade), Joy Frankoff and Mike Ussery (Cindy), Winston East, Stuart East, Judy Halstead, Shirley Harris, Betty Brown, Johnny Brookshire, Ken Brookshire, Mike Dennin Edmond Stuart, Steve Stuart and Billy Stuart; along with several great nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Nolene Brookshire.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at Carter Funeral Home Ellerbe Chapel at with the Rev. Wayne Luck officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Ellerbe Cemetery.
The family will greet friends from 12:45-1:45 p.m., Thursday prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Richmond County Hospice or to Saron Baptist Church.
The family would like to show their love and gratitude to Richmond County Hospice, Hayley Plyller, Teressa Graham, Marvin and Bea Powell, Glen and Trudy Mason, Chris and Amy Yaklin, along with surrounding neighbors and friends during this time.
Carter Funeral Home is assisting the Brookshire family.
Online condolences may be placed at carterfuneral.net.
