David Allen Hester, 88, a longtime resident of Wilson and most recently of Bath, passed away Monday. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wilson. Interment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery, Middlesex. The Rev. John Drosendahl will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, and at other times at 1503 Bayview Road, Bath, and Friday prior to service the family will receive friends at 3105 Tilghman Road, Wilson.

A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath at a later date in celebration of his life.

David proudly served his country with honor; he was with the U.S. Navy as a Seabee during World War II serving in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. He was employed with Firestone for 13 years and for 22 years he was with Prudential Insurance Company which he was a member of the President’s Roundtable for service and sales. Outside of the work area, David was very active during his life; he was a member of Wilson American Legion Post #13; AARP, Chapter training officer; Willow Springs Country Club; Wilson Exchange Club, past president; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wilson and St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Bath.

David was happily married to Frances Overman Hester and had just recently celebrated a  68th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters, Susan Peele and husband Charles of Frisco, Madeline Hester of Wilson and Melissa Beddingfield and husband Kevin of Wilson; son, Phil Hester and wife Karen of Garden Grove, Calif.; granddaughters, Jennifer Peele-Pace and Alice Langley; grandsons, Chapman Hester, Allen Wood, Brian Wood, Allen Peele, Bert Allsbrook, Joseph David Langley, Alex Beddingfield and Gregory Beddingfield and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur H. Hester and Alice Hollowell Hester and 13 sisters and brothers.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be directed to Wilson American Legion Post #13, 2035 Hwy 301, Wilson, NC  27893 or a charity of one’s choice.

Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson, is serving the Hester family. Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.