October 16, 2023, 79, Goldsboro —

William “Bill” Earl DeShong Jr., 79, of Goldsboro went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, October 16, 2023, at Brookdale Country Day in Goldsboro with his wife by his side.

Funeral service will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Goldsboro. A burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Princeton. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3 until 3:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

Bill was born in Wayne County on June 2, 1944, to the late William Earl DeShong Sr. and Elizabeth Woodard DeShong. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Goldsboro where he served on many committees such as nominating, property, finance, and he was an ordained deacon. His honesty, fairness, and respect from others led him to the chairman position.

Bill was a member of the Goldsboro Golden “K” Kiwanis Club and a member of the Goldsboro Sail & Power Squadron where he was a past commander. He coached soccer at the Boys Club and was instrumental in organizing the Neuse Soccer Traveling Association.

Bill served in the Army Reserves with the Heavy Boat Unit in Morehead City for six years.

Bill’s favorite place to be was with his family, especially at his second home in Emerald Isle called ‘The Monkey’s Fist’ where he enjoyed boating, the local marina morning coffee time, and just relaxing on the beach. He said that when he crossed the Emerald Isle bridge all his troubles seemed to vanish.

After many years of commuting to Raleigh, Bill retired from Duke Energy in January 2004. He was a software license negotiator and was credited with saving Progress Energy millions of dollars throughout his career. His retirement allowed him and his wife, Brenda, time to travel until his health began to decline in 2013.

Bill was a loving father, grandfather, husband, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of over 55 years, Brenda West DeShong; one daughter, Betty Rene’ DeShong Umphlett and husband, Josh of Greenville; one son William “Will” Earl DeShong III and wife, Erica of Durham; two brothers, Ricky DeShong and wife, Nancy of California and Kyle DeShong and wife, Betty of Newport. And he truly hated to leave his four gorgeous granddaughters, Hannah Garner, Adelyn DeShong, Ella DeShong, and Claire DeShong.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, William Weston DeShong.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to
First Baptist Church c/o the Budget Fund
125 South John Street
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.