March 2, 2025, 78, Moss Hill —

March 10, 1946 – March 2, 2025

E. Willard “Fella” Rouse, Jr., 78, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC. He was born on March 10, 1946 to the late Anna Hicks Bland Rouse and E. Willard Rouse, Sr. of the Moss Hill community. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Joan Yvonne Rouse and Sandra Bland Rouse.

A proud graduate of the last graduating class of Moss Hill High School, Fella went on to work as a textile supervisor at Texfi in Kinston and National Spinning at Warsaw and Beulaville. In his later years, he enjoyed working at Eastern Outfitters near Richlands, helping local fishermen choose the right rods and reels.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Fella loved to be in a deer stand in the woods or on a boat fishing for trout.

A service of remembrance will be held by the graveside on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Robert Flynn officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Fella is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lydia Jenkins Rouse; sons, Willard Joel “Jody” Rouse and wife, Mollie Sheppard Rouse, and Charles Jason Rouse and wife, Jessica Winders Rouse; four grandchildren, Eliza Kate Rouse, Madelyn Stokes Rouse, Charleigh Grace Rouse, and Carter Brooke Rouse; and sister, Ann Rouse Price.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Church of Bucklesberry, c/o Stanley Sutton, 1832 Sutton Shortcut Road, La Grange, NC 28551.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.