By Staff
Mr. Wallace L. “Binks” Guilford, Sr. age 98, a former resident of Aurora, died Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the home of his son and daughter in law, Wallace and Frances Guilford.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, Chocowinity, conducted by Rev. Sonny Browne and the Rev. Fred Fordham. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.
Mr. Guilford was born in Aurora on January 8, 1911. He was the son of the late Wallace Hill Guilford and Mary Carter Bonner Guilford. Mr. Guilford graduated from Aurora High School where he was a star basketball player. After high school, he graduated from Kings Business College in Raleigh. After college, Mr. Guilford worked in Washington at Blount Midyette, Ballard’s Feed Store and the Washington Post Office. While in Washington, Mr. Guilford volunteered as basketball coach at Washington High School and served as a volunteer to Head Football Coach Choppy Wagner.
After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, Mr. Guilford moved to Aurora and managed Guilford’s Market for several years. He volunteered as basketball coach at Aurora High School. Later, Mr. Guilford operated the Aurora Gift Shop with his wife. He served on Aurora School Board for five years, the Beaufort County School Board for 16 years and the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees for 16 years.
Mr. Guilford was confirmed and baptized at the Church of the Holy Cross in Aurora, where he served as an acolyte and a member of the choir. Later, he served on the vestry at the Church of the Holy Cross, Zion Episcopal Church in Washington and Trinity Episcopal Church in Chocowinity. Mr. Guilford was the oldest living member of Tau Tribe No. 18, Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Guilford was married to the former Frances Hooker, who preceded him in death in November of 1993.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. Bonner Guilford. M.D. and wife, Diane of Charlotte, Wallace L. Guilford, Jr. and wife, Frances of Washington; a grandson, Wallace L. Guilford III of Charleston, S.C.; a granddaughter, Lucy G. Cummings of Walterboro, S.C.; four great grandchildren, Lindsey Cumming, Benji Cummings, Ellen Guilford, Bonner Guilford; two step grandchildren, Trey Smith and Lizanne S. Godley; one step great grandchild, Kylie Godley; three nieces, Ann Gilman, Kay Ownby, Mary Pennington and three nephews, Bobby Pennington, Tom Smiley and Will Pennington.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Guilford was preceded in death by a brother, Marshall Hill Guilford; a sister, Bessie Smiley; and two half sisters, Cora Bryan Whitley and Kathleen Bryan Mann.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at Paul Funeral Home, Washington and other times at the home of his son and daughter in law, Wallace and Frances Guilford, Jr., 109 Lauren Place, Magnolia Shores, Washington.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Church of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box 118, Aurora, N.C. 27806; Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 332, Chocowinity, N.C. 27817; or Beaufort County Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1069, Washington, N.C. 27889.
You may send condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is serving the Guilford family.
Paid Obituary