Major William Edward Peabody, US Air Force, Retired, 83, of Fayetteville, NC, died Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

William was born to the late William Louis Peabody and Sophia Coleman on October 3, 1940.  He graduated from Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park, NY, in 1958.  Following high school, he attended Union College in Schenectady, NY, for 2 years.  He entered the US Air Force as a Cadet on June 7, 1960.  During his time, he served as Navigator, an Air Commando, an Instructor, and as an Operation Officer.  He served his country for 22 years.

After retiring from the US Air Force, he was employed with Homeowner's Realty for 2 years, then went on to work for Cumberland County for 20 years, before retiring.  William loved to garden and became a Master Gardener, as part of the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program.  In addition to his love of gardening, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and fishing.  William was a wonderful, honorable, and loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Anyone who met him came to love and enjoy his company.

William leaves behind his cherished wife of 52 years, Karla Rae Peabody; two children, Robin (David) Glenn of Southern Pines and Scott (Michelle) Peabody of Williamsburg, VA; brother, Edward (Gloria) of NY; four grandchildren, Caroline Peabody, Lauren Peabody, Wyatt Glenn, and Megan Glenn; niece, Ann Gilmartin of NJ; nephew, Vinnie Cashdollar Jr of NY; and a host of friends.

William was preceded in death by his sister, Joan M. Cashdollar.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Chapel, with a brief reception immediately following the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NC State Extension Master Gardeners Endowment:  Make checks payable to "The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation", mail checks to Advancement Services, Gifts & Records Management, Campus Box 7474, Raleigh, NC 27695, go.ncsu.edu/ncmastergardeners , or to the Veterans Airlift Command, 5775 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. 700, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, www.veteransairlift.org .

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.