AHOSKIE, NC – William “Bill” Ward Arrington, 83, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Monday, February 15, 2021.
Mr. Arrington was born on April 3, 1937 to Paul and Minnie Bell Arrington in Martin County, NC. He graduated from Ahoskie High School with the class of 1955. Bill then served his country for 28 years with the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer IV in 1980. After returning to civilian life, Bill fulfilled a second career with the Hertford County Social Services, retiring after 15 years of service to the community in that role. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Bill was a proud business owner- he formerly owned a Sears Catalog Store in Ahoskie and until the time of his death he was co-owner of Arrington Insurance Agency Inc. His customers and employees were extended family. Bill was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie where he was honored to serve as a deacon. However, the Ahoskie Food pantry was the mission to which Bill dedicated the latter part of his life. Generous with his time and personal finances, he sought to provide for the most vulnerable members of his community for over 20 years. Never one to seek the spotlight, Bill received various community service awards with the Governors Medallion Award for Volunteer Services in April of 2020 being one of the most notable. Bill loved his family dearly and will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Along with his parents, Bill was preceded in death by the loving man who raised him as his own, Roland “Moe” Hardison; two brothers, Harry L. Arrington, and Gene Arrington, and a sister, Elizabeth Burden.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, two sons, Michael Ward Arrington and friend, Ralph Petty of Southern Pines, NC, and Calvin Ward Arrington and Keri-Helen of Garner, NC; two daughters, Sheila Lassiter and David of Ahoskie, NC, Angie Britton and Tim of Greenville, NC; sister, Kaye Yanez and Dan of Rocky Mount, NC; four grandsons, Travis Lassiter and wife Rachel of Ashburn, VA, Aaron Holloman of Harrellesville, NC, Caleb Arrington of Garner, Eli Arrington of Garner; a granddaughter, Kristin Buck of Trenton, NC; and two special friends, David Barnes, and Frank Jones who continue his legacy with the Food Pantry. Also surviving are several great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. His work daughters Abby Greene and Lashiara Hocutt held a special place in his heart.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021, 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, with Dr. Rev Trey Gilliam officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Food Pantry of Ahoskie, PO Box 159, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online by clicking here
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Arrington family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com
Bill was one of the kindest, unselfish, helpful, and most caring gentlemen I have ever encountered. My prayers go out to Carolyn, the rest of the family, his friends, church family, and the entire community as we all grieve his loss. I can well imagine the first words he heard from our Heavenly Father, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord!”
So sorry for your your loss Carolyn. Bill was a Dedicated, loving, strong, man of God. I am fortunate to have known and worked with him (you all). I know David and Frank will carry on his legacy with God first and a giving spirit. I will never forget you and the blessing you all were in my life. Thank you.
I worked with Bill at Hertford County DSS in the 1990s. He was like the Gentle Giant who went quietly about the business of helping the citizens of the county, whether it was at DSS or the food pantry. In all the years we worked together, I never remember hearing him complain about anything or say anything ugly about anyone. His family can be proud of a life well lived. I am sure he is in heaven, probably making sure all the food is in the right place. May it bring his family peace to know that he is now among the angels.
RIP Mr.Arrington you was a remarkable man, not only you but your wife as well!! My heart goes out to your wife and family! God truly gained an amazing angel!
My children and I are very glad to have been able to meet Mr. Bill. We saw how much he did for the community and we will never forget working along side him at the Food Pantry in Ahoskie. My son who is 11 years old especially looked up to him. Mr. Bill was one of the greatest servants I have ever known. May he rest in the arms of our Lord.
CAROLYN & FAMILY, I AM DEEPLY SADDENED TO HEAR OF BILL’S PASSING. I WORKED WITH HIM AT HERTFORD CO SOCIAL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. HE WAS A WONDERFUL CO-WORKER AND HAD A DEEP COMMITMENT FOR ALL HE SERVED.WHEN ABOUT IN AHOSKIE, I NEVER SAW ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER AND THEY WERE NEVER TOO BUSY TO STOP AND CHIT-CHAT. HE WAS ONE OF THE FINEST PEOPLE I EVER MET AND WILL BE TRULY MISSED.
Our sincere sympathy goes out to Bill’s family. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the years.
Praise the Lord for Bill’s heart for the Food Pantry Ministry. Caring for others. Helping in practial ways. Showing God’s Love. I appeciate his Christian witness. Prayers for Carolyn and all of us grieving his loss.
I am so saddened to see this. I knew he was not well but I am so sorry I did not get to speak with him before he passed. Mr. Arrington has to be one of the nicest, most sincere, helping, concerned about others person I have ever met. Due to my job, I have from time to time assist people with getting food from the pantry. All I had to do was call Mr. Bill or Ms. Carolyn and what I asked for people in need was immediately given. People like him are so few and far between. Ms. Carolyn herself has a heart of gold and I will be praying for her and the super nice ladies in the insurance office.
I ask Ms. Carolyn to please call me if you should need anything at all.
Bill and I worked together at Social Services for those 15 years, we worked side by side from 1995 until he retired helping the elderly in our community .Bill always had a desire it seemed to help others whether serving his country or serving at the Food Pantry, he had a passion for serving.I am sure he is reconnecting with Ms Barbara and Ms Dot in heaven talking about old times at social services. I know he will be missed and I will be praying for you Carolyn and your family thru this difficult time. As the bible says job well done Bill.