William Hair

William Jennings ("Billy") Hair, born in Cedar Creek and long-standing resident of Elizabethtown, NC for over 90 years, was a proud Navy veteran of World War II, an upstanding member of the community, and a highly celebrated leader in the Bladen County School System, serving as teacher, principal, and superintendent for over 40 years.

He returned to the Lord on March 21st while resting peacefully in his home surrounded by family and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Edna Earle Hair, his parents Walter and Alice Hair, and his siblings Eloise, Miles Gaston ("Sprunt"), Mary Elizabeth, Maggie Mae, Walter Alexander, and Marvin Marsh.

He is survived by his three children, Miles Hair (Jenny), Alex Hair, and Marsha Howell (Jeb), his grandchildren Heath (Chris), Kory (Jennifer), Whitley (Willie), Seth (Leigh Ann), Magen (Austin), and Andrew, his step grandchildren, Erin and James Ben (Ashley), his great grandchildren Haley, Emma, Jaxon, Harper, Sawyer, Luke, Carver and one "on the way", and step great-grandchildren, Madison, Aiden, Colton, and Nolan.

W.J. attended Louisburg College after the war and transferred to East Carolina University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts. He was associated with the Boy Scouts of America throughout his adult life and was a proud recipient of the Cape Fear Award, the Silver Beaver Award, and the Eagle Scout Class Honoree. He was also a long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown, receiving his 60-year service award in 2018, and he was a devoted member of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School for his entire life.

After his retirement in 1989, he dedicated his time to the family land harvesting crops, working in his garden, and tending to his beloved herd of cattle. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather known for his love of old westerns, extensive story-telling, and he could often be found sharing coffee with his ROMEO club at the local McDonalds or doing the jitterbug on the dance floor.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 24th from 10 am to 12 pm at the Elizabethtown Christian Activity Center (CAC), followed by services held at the Elizabethtown Baptist Church at 1:00 pm and a burial with full military honors at Elizabethtown City Cemetery following the funeral services. The family will receive friends at the family home, 138 Coley Road, Elizabethtown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina of Lake Waccamaw or the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.