William Patterson McArthur, Sr.

William Patterson McArthur, Sr., 88, of Fayetteville passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family.

William was born on June 5, 1935, on Pamalee Drive in Fayetteville to the late Paul Harrison McArthur, Sr., and Mary Fuller Graham McArthur. He grew up working in the dairy, the cotton fields, and on the farm with his father who also taught him carpentry. It was there that he began his love of horses that he shared with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would plow the fields with the horses, and he was very proud of the fact that he was the only delivery boy that delivered a paper route from a horse.

In 1953, William graduated from the old Fayetteville High School, where he made the All-Eastern Basketball Team his senior year. He went on to play his first 2 years at ECU, winning two Conference Championships.  He graduated from ECU in 1958.

On November 12, 1955, William married the love of his life, Abigail Hawley McArthur, and they were married 66 years before she preceded him in death in 2021.

After graduating from college, William joined the U.S. Air Force, receiving the Bronze Star and the Certificate of Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Vietnam. He also received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service at Robins Air Force Base, GA, where he retired after 20 years of service.

William then returned to Fayetteville and started working with the U.S. Postal Service. He began on the zip coding machine and then moved to the window as a clerk. He served at the Eutaw Post Office and the Raeford Road Post Office.

In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his son, Craig Harrison McArthur.

He is survived by his sons, William P “Pat” McArthur, Jr. and wife, Geri, Ronald Hawley McArthur and wife, Cynthia; daughter, Beatrice McArthur Sanders, and husband Michael; grandchildren, Jessica M. James (Jesse), William “Will” P. McArthur, III (Whitney), Tiffany O. Soper (Josh), Thomas W. Ovbey III, Abigail O. Sena (Joe), Kyle G. McArthur (Brooke), Cole H. McArthur (Erin); step-grandchildren, Melissa Daly (Ryan), Christopher Sanders (Kelsey); great grandchildren, Beckett H. James, Elliott P. James, Brooklyn E. McArthur, Brayden C. McArthur, Nora A. Soper, Thomas “Drew” W. Ovbey IV, Jolene B. Sena, Addison L McArthur, and baby boy McArthur to arrive in June; step-great grandchildren, Beau and Emerson Sanders.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.  A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2 pm at Camp Ground United Methodist Church Cemetery.  A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at www.T2T.org

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

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