Willie Roscoe Warren
Sept. 20, 1930– Jan. 26, 2023 (age 92)
Willie Roscoe Warren, 92 of Ash, passed on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Brunswick Novant Medical Center. He was born Sept. 20, 1930, in Brunswick County, the son of the late Joe Edward Warren and Alice Cliff Evans.
Roscoe started out on the family farm that was his home until death. Once able to drive, he drove a school bus until his graduation from Waccamaw High School in 1950 as class president. He entered the U.S. Army shortly after graduation. He served until he was honorably discharged in 1953. After discharge, he joined the N.C. Highway Patrol as a dispatcher.
When he married the love of his life, Betty Lou Bennett, he left state employment and started working at Riegel Paper Co. and continued at the paper mill until it changed from Riegel to Federal Paper Board. He retired as it became International Paper.
While raising a family with Betty, they farmed tobacco, corn and soybeans on what became their family home place. After his "retirement" he never returned to farming. Embracing his lifelong desire to travel, he joined his brother, Rozier as a warranty repairman for eight years, traveling the country from Delaware to Florida. He also had a wastewater system inspection service that he operated until his death.
All during Roscoe's life, he was involved in civic and fraternal activities. He became a Master Mason in 1960 at Waccamaw Lodge #596 and later helped found as a charter member Shallotte Lodge #727, eventually becoming Master of the lodge in 2011. Roscoe was the last surviving charter member of Lodge #727. He continued his Masonic activities with the Scottish Rite, Valley of Wilmington. Roscoe also served as a Patron of the Shallotte Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 314. He was an active member of New Life Baptist Church. He was also a member of Waccamaw Fire and Rescue and a past chief of the Rescue Squad.
Roscoe loved all life's milestones and celebrations. He saw each family birthday, graduation, anniversary as an accomplishment worthy of a family gathering and celebration. He enjoyed each and every such celebration to the fullest.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Lou Bennett Warren; two sons, William Gregg Warren and wife, Glenda of Ash and Judge Marion Roscoe Warren (Ret.) and wife, Dorothy of Ash; a daughter, Betsy W. Sellers and husband, Perry of Bolivia; a sister, Mazzell E. Milligan and niece, Wanda Milligan of Ash; eight grandchildren, Regina W. King (Alan), William G. Warren, Jr., Brittany S. Stanley (Jason), Whitney L. Eaddy (Daniel), Cynthia M. Warren, Ashleigh G. Warren, Noah M. Warren, and James R. Warren; seven great grandchildren, Taylor A. King (Chloe), Joshua Randall Warren, Joseph T. Stanley, Harrison L. Stanley, Grayson J. Stanley, Anna L. Eaddy, Benjamin H. Eaddy; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rozier DeBoise and a sister, Georgianne E. Anderson.
His funeral service was at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 at New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Ash with Rev. Stephen Wright officiating. Burial was in the New Life Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Master Masons of Masonic Lodge # 727 served as pallbearers.
His family received friends Sunday at the church from 1:30-2:30 p.m., and at other times at the home of Roscoe and Betty.
Memorials may be made to New Life Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Betty Hewett 2125 Exum Rd. NW, Ash, N.C. 28420.