William Monroe

William George Monroe, 91, of Tar Heel, died Tuesday February 25, 2020. He was born in Bladen County on October 13, 1928 to the late Elias Johnson Monroe and Mollie Ruth McKee Monroe. A man of great faith he served as a Deacon for Love Grove Baptist Church for 62 years. Through his church he became a master handicap ramp builder sawing most of the boards used on many projects. He was described as a “jack of all trades” and a “tinkerer” who could fix just about anything. He would often tell people that he spent 12 years in jail and then he’d have to explain that he served as a Bladen County Sherriff’s Deputy (Jailer). He would, also, say that’s where he learned the great skill of making coffee, even though he didn’t drink it. He worked with Martin Wilson’s store for 40 years. He was instrumental in starting the Tar Heel Water Corporation in which he worked as operator and meter reader for 47 years. People were often surprised at how well he could squat down and read the meters. He always tried to treat everyone fairly and in doing so was viewed as a pillar of his community. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 49 years, 11 months and 2 weeks, Lucy McPherson Monroe, daughter, Carrie Ruth Monroe and son-in-law, Joe Wilkins. He is survived by his daughters, Barbara Wilkins of Tar Heel and Janet Burrington and her husband Lyle of Stoughton, WI; Son-in-law, Johnny Fields; grandchildren, Melanie Voges and her husband Robert of Rio, WI; Adrienne Hendren (Phil); Nicholas Wilkins (Amanda) both of Tar Heel; Bill Burrington of Stoughton, WI; Tabitha Dew (Steven),of Tar Heel, and great-grandchildren, Corey Hendren, Garrett Moran, Nolan Wilkins, Jayden Dew, Abigail Dew, and Christopher Voges. A Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 29, 2020, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Love Grove Baptist Church in Tar Heel, with a Funeral Service being held at 3:00 pm, also at the church, with the Reverend Tom Thomas officiating. Burial will follow the service in the Monroe Family Cemetery. Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls