William Earl "Pete" Lane

William Earl “Pete” Lane died at his home on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 after a short struggle with leukemia. Pete was born in Raleigh, NC, on July 14, 1931 to Carl Leaton Lane and Anna Mae Andrew Lane.

After graduating from Millbrook High School, he entered N C State College where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education in 1955. He paid for his education by selling eggs produced on the family farm just off Six Forks Road in Raleigh. Pete was active in the Boy Scouts of America; he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. (Additionally, Pete was a member of an exhibition square dance group and taught Native American dance.)

After working at Camp Durant in Raleigh, he embarked on a brief career as an executive with the BSA in Charleston, SC. He discovered that instead of working directly with scouts, he was tasked with fundraising, so he resigned to become the manager of a poultry farm at Wedgefield Plantation at Georgetown, SC. Longing to be back in Raleigh, he took a position in Marketing with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, where he worked for 30 years. He continued working with scouts through involvement in an Explorer Post sponsored by Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and later a troop in Apex. He was also in charge of the youth group (Baptist Training Union) at Pullen where he met his future wife, Mary Sue Rankin. (They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on April 3 of this year).

Pete also enjoyed cooking. He utilized his skills in the kitchen by serving as the “chef” for Wednesday night meals at Apex Baptist Church, Pullen Memorial Church, and Woodhaven Baptist Church outside of Apex. His homemade yeast bread was a perpetual favorite. Following his retirement from the Department of Agriculture, Pete even used his culinary skills at a convenient store in Apex.

He and Mary Sue went on numerous mission trips, both domestic and foreign (Brazil and Thailand). The Lane’s also traveled to Bolivia, Colombia, Great Britton, Russia, and extensively throughout the USA. In 1966 Pete was inducted into the Order of the Longleaf Pine by then NC Governor, Dan Moore. He also served for many years as a trustee for the NC Baptist Foundation.

Pete is survived by his wife, Mary Sue, by: two sons, Dr. Paul A. Lane (Darlene) of Radford, VA, Alan S. Lane-Murcia (Oliva) of Evanston, IL and four grandchildren: Anna, Andrew, Jennifer, and Mateo. Also surviving are a brother, Dr. Carl Lane, Jr, of Clemson SC, a sister Anna Turner of Zebulon, three nephews and one niece.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, May 2 at Woodhaven Baptist Church – 4000 Kildaire Farm Rd in Apex, NC from 12 noon – 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Youth Ministry of Woodhaven Baptist Church, Apex, NC.