Pastor William B. Courtney

Pastor William B. Courtney

Pastor William B. Courtney of Riegelwood, NC, died Friday, May 20, 2011, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC.

He was born in Versailles, Kentucky, on December 2, 1933, the son of the late Orville Lee and Nellie Mae (Chasteen) Courtney and was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Courtney and four brothers, Harold, Bobby, Johnny, Douglas.

Pastor Courtney was ordained at Cape Fear Baptist Church, Riegelwood, NC, and had served as minister at Elah Baptist Church, Leland, NC, Prosper Baptist Church, Delco, NC, Berea Baptist Church, Lumberton, NC and currently minister at Bethel Baptist Church, Lumberton, NC. he was also a volunteer fire fighter at the Raft Swamp Fire Department, Lumberton, NC, as well as Hope Mills/Grays Creek Fire Department. Pastor Courtney enjoyed fishing but most important, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Surviving besides his wife, Margaret Jean (Hiles) Courtney of 58 years are: two sons, Michael Courtney and wife Pauline of Leland, NC and Eric Courtney of Wilmington, NC, two daughters, Deborah Sykes and husband Dean of Riegelwood, NC and Melissa Courtney and husband Kino of Leland, NC, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be private.

A celebration of life service and reception of friends will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, May 23, 2011, with the Rev. Roy West at Cape Fear Baptist Church, Riegelwood, NC.

A service of Village Road Funeral and Cremation Service, Leland, NC.