William Johnston Starnes

Retired Major William Johnston “Bill” Starnes died peacefully at this home on May 11, 2016 at the age of 67 after a short courageous battle with thyroid cancer. Bill was born in Raleigh, NC on August 26, 1948 and was the son of the late M. Eugene and Josephine Johnston Starnes.

He was a 1965 graduate of Cary High School. He attended North Carolina State University for two years and then enlisted in the United States Army. Bill took an honorable discharge so he could finish his degree at North Carolina State University where he graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Bill returned to active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in the Philippines, Thailand, Germany, Okinawa and Vietnam. Bill was awarded four Army Commendation Medals while in the Army, one of which was the Bronze Star.

After this retirement from the US Army, he was an instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College for two years. Bill then took a job with the 1112th Signal Battalion/ITBC as a civilian Network Analyst in 1989 where he stayed until his retirement in 2009.

Bill was an active member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church of Gray’s Creek where he served as a Deacon, lead children’s time and children’s church, helped with the sound system and served as the church Treasurer until this past February. Bill was also a previous member of the American MENSA Society and active member of Chapter 276 of National Active & Retired Federal Employees.

Bill is survived by his sister Melissa Starnes Howard and fiancé CE Carter of Reidsville, NC and his brother Robert Johnston Starnes of Rocky Mount, NC; niece Courtney Barkley and husband Van of Charlotte, NC; nephew Eric Starnes and wife Mahogany of Raleigh, NC; nephew Anderson Howard of Greensboro, NC; niece Allison Howard of Reidsville, NC; great-niece Adrienne Hamons; great-nephew Julius Starnes; and special friend Helen Pilkay and her children Grant and Carol.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Crystal, Denise and Jamie with Community Hospice for taking such good care of Bill.

Bill was an avid cat lover and held two cat rescues very close to his heart.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life was held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 20, 2015 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 3184 County Line Rd, Fayetteville. The family received friends after the service at the church.

It was at his request that in lieu of flowers all memorial contributions be made to either CatMan 2 Shelter, PO Box 2344, Cullowhee, NC, 28723 or Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, 3101 E Great Marsh Church Rd, St Pauls, NC 28384.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.