Rev. William Bussey

WILSON - William Royall Bussey, 94, died at home on March 19, 2016. He was born on November 6, 1921 in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Patrick Henry Bussey and Hortense Peak Bussey. He grew up in Florence, S.C., where his father was the pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church and his mother played the organ for the church. He graduated from Furman University where he was the student body president.

He married Barbara Johnson in 1947. They were married 68 years, until Barbara's death in October of 2015. He was an air traffic control officer In the Air Force in World War II, serving primarily in the South Pacific. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1948, after which he became pastor of First Baptist in Chester, S.C., where he served for 14 years.

In 1962, Reverend Bussey, Barbara, and their three daughters, Susan, Sally, and, Marcia, moved to Wilson. He served as pastor of First Baptist in Wilson for 27 years, and upon his retirement was named pastor emeritus. After retiring from First Baptist, he served for 20 years as pastor of Stanhope Baptist in. Nash County, before retiring again. When asked why he decided to retire from Stanhope, Rev. Bussey responded, "I was 90 years old, .and I decided it was time to hang it up."

An exceptional preacher, his sermons both affirmed and challenged his congregations. He was a lifelong student of religion, history, and economics, reading several books a week until the week he died. In a recent interview, Rev. Bussey explained his attraction to Baptist theology as, follows. "Baptist theology is based upon the priesthood of the believer. The believer is his own priest. He can seek God's forgiveness without going through a pastor. He can read the Bible without someone telling him what to believe. Local churches are free and autonomous."

Reverend Bussey loved people, irrespective of their age, faith, race, or position, and he was revered by everyone who knew him. Though a dignified and serious person, he liked to poke fun at himself, and he loved to laugh with his friends and family. He enjoyed gardening, growing some of the biggest and most beautiful azaleas in Wilson. He enjoyed his daily workouts at the YMCA and meeting with his coffee groups. One of his favorite leisure activities was watching football from his lounge chair, always with the sound muted, as he read and napped. He enjoyed great food, especially food prepared by Barbara. His favorite food was fresh peaches with vanilla ice cream. He enjoyed life, and he lived it to the fullest.

Rev. Bussey is survived by his daughters Susan Bussey Toms (husband, Tommy), Sally Bussey Plyler (husband, William), Marcia Bussey Eatmon (husband, Edward); grandchildren Heidi Toms Tucker (husband, David).,Justin Toms (wife, Pauline), William Toms, Settle Plyler Monroe (husband, Jeff), Will Plyler, B.B. Plyler, Sharon Eatmon Mattheisen (husband, Jake), Eddie Eatmon (wife, Ashley); and great-grandchildren Davis Tucker, Jackson Tucker, Jack Monroe, Duncan Monroe, Finn Mattheisen, Owen Mattheisen, and Kori Eatmon.

He was predeceased by his parents; by his wife, Barbara; by his brother, Thaxton Bussey; and by his great-grandson, Webb Monroe.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 23, at First Baptist Church, 311 Nash Street NW, Wilson, NC 27893, with Rev. Doug Murray presiding. Visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1467, Wilson, NC 27894-1467.