William Hanes

William “Bunt” Venus Hanes passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024, surrounded by family. William was born on March 28, 1936, in Davidson County to the late John Herman Hanes, Sr. and Hazel Walser Hanes. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Todd Davis Hanes; his parents; three brothers, J.H. (Jay) Hanes, Jr., Roy Hanes, Jim Hanes; two sisters-in-law, Linda Hanes and Betty Hanes; two nephews, Mike Hanes and Russ Essick; and a great-nephew, Thomas Freeman Jr.

In the 6th grade, he met and later married Sylvia Marie Davis on December 18, 1954, who survives of the home. He is survived by a son, William Terry Hanes of Lexington and Wewahitchka, Florida; daughter, Tina; and husband Clay Essick of Winston-Salem; daughter-in-law, Jan Hanes of Lexington; grandchildren, Cerrelle Hanes McKinney (William) of Wewahitchka, Florida; Matthew Essick, of Pinehurst; William Essick (Evan) of Winston-Salem; Haley Hanes Carter (David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; John Hanes of Cincinnati, Ohio; and great-grandchildren Hannah, Samantha, Gwyneth and William Harrison McKinney of Wewahitchka, Florida; Wesley Carter of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister Virginia Hanes Weisner of Lexington and sister-in-law Joanne Hanes of Winston-Salem; 16 nieces and nephews and 35 great nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to William as "Uncle Bunt".

William was an over-the-road driver for Roadway Express for 35 years where he was awarded the Presidential Safety Individual Million Miler award. While at Reeds School, he played baseball and continued his love for the sport by serving the Reeds Community as President of the Reeds Booster Club and coaching all levels of baseball teams, even after his children had aged out of little league. A man of service, William was a proud member of the Lexington Memorial Masonic Lodge #473, member of Oasis Shriners, and a past member of the Lexington Shrine Club. He also served at Reeds Baptist Church as a deacon, choir member, and church bus driver for all ages, many times taking them on cross country trips. Some of his fondest memories of serving others was driving the bus for the children of Reeds Baptist on their summer weekly God’s Kids trips. The parents knew that their children would be safe with William behind the wheel. He was active in the Baptist Men’s group by serving on mission trips to the flood restoration zones in the eastern parts of North Carolina, Czech Republic, Germany, China and Ground Zero after the 911 attacks. When not volunteering, William could be found tinkering in his workshop on the restoration of his 1957 Chevy pickup truck, bowling, golfing or spending time at the coast with his family.

A public graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Reeds Baptist Church cemetery. Visitation and refreshments to follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Reeds Baptist Church, 180 Reeds Baptist Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295.