William E. Rasberry, age 94, passed away on August 19th at The Village in Burlington where he and his wife, Doris, have lived for the past year and a half. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Henry and Lucy Moore Rasberry; sister, Martha Rasberry Grady; and brother, Charlie James Rasberry. Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Doris Spurrier Rasberry; daughter, Barbara Rasberry Lehman and husband, Wade; grandson, Walter Carl Lehman and wife, April; granddaughter, Lindsay Grace Jenkins and husband, Sam; great-grandsons, Nathaniel Peyton and Owyn Alexander Lehman.
Born and raised in Farmville, N.C., Bill graduated from Farmville High School in 1941. He attended UNC at Chapel Hill prior to serving in the US Navy from 1944-1947 where he served as Radioman First Class. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to UNC where he earned an AB degree in Chemistry in 1947.
Pursuing a career in dentistry, he moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. In 1950, he married Doris Day Spurrier and took his bride back to Philadelphia with him where he earned his DDS degree in the spring of 1951. He opened his dental office in Grifton, North Carolina in September 1951 where he practiced until August 28, 1998 when he retired.
For almost the entire 46 years of practice, he was the only dentist Grifton had. He was a Member of the American Dental Society, the North Carolina Dental Society, the 5th District Dental Society, and the Pitt and Lenoir County Dental Societies. During the 65 years that Bill and Doris made Grifton their home, he was very active in the community.
He was a member of the Grifton United Methodist Church as well as the Grifton United Methodist Men. For a number of years, he served on the Grifton Administrative Council often taking on various roles and responsibilities. He served as president of the Greenville District United Methodist Men for 5 years.
He was an active member of the Grifton Chamber of Commerce where he served as president for a term. In 1984, Bill was honored with the Citizen of the Year Award. Being a charter member of the Grifton Lions Club, he served in several capacities over the years, and anyone in Grifton can attest to the diligent manner in which he set out to secure ads and birthday/anniversary listing for the yearly Lions Club calendar.
He was a member of the Grifton Masonic Lodge, New Bern Scottish Rites, and Sudan Shrine. Additionally, he was a member of the Grifton VFW Post 4062. Bill served on the Pitt County Salvation Army Advisory Board having served as its president for one year.
For years, he organized the annual Salvation Army bell- ringing project in Grifton. He served 2 terms on the Pitt County Development Commission. Bill also served on the Pitt Community College Foundation Board serving as its president for 2 years.
Serving two terms on the Pitt County Council on Aging, he worked to make this organization an important asset for Pitt County residents. He took a great interest in the Grifton Public Library frequently donating books. In the spring of 2017, the library honored him for his donation of a large collection of classic book titles.
He dearly loved his community—Grifton and Pitt County and served it well for many years. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. May he rest in peace!
A Memorial Service will be held at the Grifton United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 25, 2018, 2pm with a visitation to follow the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Grifton UMC or to the charity of your choice. Farmer Funeral Service is honored to serve the Rasberry family.
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