Horace Bunnie Fitchett

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Horace Bunnie Fitchett, Jr., of New Bern, NC, known to all as Hank or PopPop by his 8 grandchildren, quietly departed after years of struggling with Alzheimer’s and most recently a stroke. Though his body was frail and tired, his spirit was full of grateful appreciation for all who loved and cared for him, especially his wife-the love of his life, Nancy Willett.

Hank, born in Urbanna, Virginia, near the Rappahannock River on June l2, 1929, lived his early years absorbed in activities that revolved around the waterways of the river and the Chesapeake Bay. He learned to boat, fish, crab and harvest oysters. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1946. In 1949 on the G.I. Bill Hank was the first in his family to attend college and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) having served as the Captain of the Cadet Corp and held membership in three fraternities; Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta and Scabbard and Blade. After graduating college Hank entered the U.S. Army and served until 1957. Then Hank joined Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company where his career flourished for 32 years. The job Hank enjoyed most was his service as Director of Government Communications for the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress. He had incredible access to the inner workings of Washington, DC and great stories about President Nixon’s wiretapping scandal, the private residence of the White House, the landing on the moon, numerous war protests and JFK inauguration events, to name a few.

Hank enjoyed a full life traveling, exploring, collecting seashells, mastering photography, playing poker and golf with buddies and building wooden boats at the Watercraft Center in Beaufort. He loved to gather the family for barbeques and encouraged games of bocce ball.

His brothers Earl Fitchett and Stanley Shackelford; granddaughter, Taylor Sudbrink and his mother, Lottie Mae Shackelford and father, Horace Bunnie Fitchett, Sr, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Willett, and children Leigh Sudbrink, Beth Beitman, Ellen Bailes and Jason Willett and grandchildren Hank Beitman, Matthew Beitman, Lindsay Beitman, Brittany Bailes, Kelsey Bailes, Tyler Sudbrink, Emily Willett and Samuel Willett and son-in-law, Craig Sudbrink, daughter-in-law, Amanda Willett and great grandson, Sieme Goe. Also survived by brother, George Shackelford and sister, Virginia Hogge.

A memorial service will be held to honor Hank Fitchett on Saturday, October 14, 2017, 11:00 am at Garber United Methodist Church, 4201 Country Club Road, Trent Woods.

Please, in lieu of flowers, make a donation in Hank Fitchett’s memory to Merci Clinic 1315 Tatum Drive, New Bern, NC 28562.

Online condolences may be made to the Hitchett family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com