Mr. William Blackwell

September 27, 1944 - April 22, 2020

God saw the time had come; the hills were getting harder to climb. He softly whispered in his ear, “my child”, you know you are mine. He gently closed his weary eyes, and He whispered to him, My Son, PEACE BE THINE. On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, God sent His angels to give heavenly wings to William “Buck” Blackwell to take his flight to glory. William was born on September 27, 1944 in Greenville, NC to the late Herbert and Ella Blackwell. “Buck”, as he was loving known, graduated from C. M. Eppes High School in 1962 where he was voted “Most Intellectual”. He was employed by Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company and retired with thirty-nine years of service. After retirement, Buck traveled around the United States with his brother-in-law, the late David Payton, with the award-winning gospel stage play “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” as the road manager. Buck, being the productive worker, later accepted a part time position with the Greenville Convention Center where he worked for ten years as an Event Manager. William was a lifelong and dedicated member of Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully in the male chorus. Buck loved his family and entertaining at his home. He enjoyed working in his yard, working around his house, relaxing in his favorite chair and spending time with his family. His pride and joy were his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandson. William is survived by his loving and loyal wife of fifty-five years, Vera Jean Blackwell; his two children, LaVern Blackwell of Raleigh, NC, Cyrus Blackwell (April) of Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren, Justin Blackwell (Sheneathea) of Raleigh, NC, Lamar Upshaw Blackwell of Philadelphia, PA, J’Quetta and Jeremy Gradney of Houston, TX; great-grandchild, Justin Blackwell, II of Raleigh, NC; siblings, Agnestine Brewington, Rudy Blackwell (Lisa) and Marvin Blackwell all of Greenville, NC; a host of other loving relative and friends.