Sergeant First Class Retired U.S. Army Richard F. Avila, 86, of Fayetteville, passed away, Saturday, September 24, 2016.

Mr. Avila retired with 21 years active duty in the U.S. Army and retired with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John Avila, Sam Garcia, and Louis Garcia; sister, Eva Garcia.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 12 noon in Trinity Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey St. The family will receive friends at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Tuesday, September 27, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Avila is survived by his wife, Billie S. Avila of the home; daughters, Cathy Palaita and husband Mike; Angela Dial and husband Stephen; Stephanie Garison and husband Gary all of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Christian Palaita, Katherine Malua and husband Malua, Jr., Starrett Reynolds and wife Sarah, Madison Garison, and Megan Garison; great-grandchildren, Faith and Hope Malua; and Isaac Zurn-Reynolds.