William H. "Bill" Malpass III

BURLINGTON - William “Bill” Hanson Malpass III, 78, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017 at Alamance Regional Medical Center.

Born April 12, 1939 in Goldsboro, NC to William Hanson Malpass Jr. and Mildred Pelt Malpass, both deceased, Bill was the loving husband to Lee Smith Malpass.

A Navy veteran, Bill served his country proudly before attending college at NC State University where he graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Bill retired with 30 years of service from Western Electric/Lucent Technologies. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Burlington where he served as the Director of the Church’s library. In his spare time he enjoyed playing racquetball, tennis, hunting, fishing, reading and woodworking.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lee of the home and daughters, Sharon Malpass Wagoner (Billy) of Burlington and Tracey Malpass Rumley (Roger) of Browns Summit. Bill was also blessed with five grandchildren who spent many hours in his lap as he read their favorite books: Corrie Wagoner, Anna Wagoner Wrenn (Dakota), Joshua Rumley (Janice), Ethan Rumley and Sarah Rumley. Also surviving is his sister Marlene Smith of Greenville, five treasured nieces and nephews: Alicia Pait (Randy), Ben Lancaster (Peggy), Dr. Bryan Smith (Heather), Deborah Strickland (Norman) and Bonnie High (David).

The family would like to extend thanks to Bill’s friends, Compton Young, Rodney Burnett and Albert Bowes. They each had a special relationship with Bill and played a significant role in his life. They, along with all of Bill’s friends, blessed his life greatly. The biggest thanks are to “Poppy” himself for all of his love, wisdom, and unselfish ability to give of himself as well as his devotion to his family. He taught us what it means to be a great husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, but most importantly he was a great example of how to be a Godly person with a strong faith. At the end of his life, he showed his family how to join our Lord and Savior in heaven cheerfully, gracefully and with great dignity.

A graveside funeral service is planned for Monday May 15, 2017 at 3:00pm at Alamance Memorial Park in Burlington.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington on Monday May 15, 2017 from 1:30-2:30pm. At other times the family will be at the home of his daughter Sharon at 4610 Mount Vernon Church Road, Burlington, NC 27217

To reflect his spirit of helping one’s fellow mankind, memorials may be made to Allied Churches of Alamance County, 206 N Fisher Street, Burlington, NC 27217 or First Baptist Church of Burlington, 400 S Broad Street, Burlington, NC 27215.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com

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