FAYETTEVILLE - George Alexander Vestal, 81, of Fayetteville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He was born Dec. 4, 1927, in Fayetteville to the late Herman L. Vestal and Blanche Martin Vestal. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis C. Vestal; and a sister, Hazel Vestal Parker. Mr. Vestal is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice Williford Vestal. In addition to his wife, Mr. Vestal is survived by a niece, Sandra Turner Basinger and her husband, Kenneth Basinger; two great-nieces, Ashlee Basinger, and Lisa Basinger Gomez and her husband, Ernie Gomez; a sister-in-law, Muriel Williford Turner of Fayetteville; nieces, Sharon Barks and Suzanne McLemore and her husband, Craig McLemore, of Rockwall, Texas; a brother-in-law, Ernest H. Parker; and two nephews, James Parker and John Parker and his wife, Cathy, of Charlotte. Mr. Vestal graduated from Fayetteville High School and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration on June 4, 1956. He was a University of North Carolina Monogram Award Winner Alumni in men's track. He was a member of the Tar Heels Spike Club. Mr. Vestal served in the United States Navy from July 11, 1945, to July 31, 1946. Mr. Vestal retired from First Brands Corp. in Danbury, Conn., in 1992, where he was executive vice president of First Brands Corp. and president of the Home Products Division. Mr. Vestal had two U.S. patents for a packaging container for Union Carbide Corp. of Danbury, Conn. He was an avid golfer and tennis player. He played in several Pro-Am golf tournaments before his retirement. Mr. Vestal is listed in Marquis Who's Who in America. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Mr. Vestal served faithfully in many capacities in his church and demonstrated his great faith and love in his everyday life. His loving, self-giving spirit touched many lives. He was a very compassionate man and had a great sense of humor, with a smile for everyone. Mr. Vestal was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson St., Fayetteville, with the Rev. Ed Beddingfield officiating. Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street in Fayetteville. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Lounge at First Baptist Church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson St., Fayetteville, NC 28301. Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville.