Mr. Willie James Tyson, Sr., age 77, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital in Washington, NC.

A funeral service will be held 2:00p.m. Friday, December 20, 2013 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington officiated by Rev. Keith Hudson and Rev. Doug Batchelor. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens. Leon Norman, Keith Manning, Lee Manning, Harold Tyson, Jr., Mark Singleton, Jr., and Brandon Singleton will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Tyson was born in Pitt County on January 12, 1936, to the late William Jessie Tyson and Ruby Mae Lofton Tyson. On December 27, 1978, Mr. Tyson married Goldie Marie Dunn Tyson, who survives. Mr. Tyson worked as a federal firefighter in Chicago, Illinois and Cherry Point, NC for 17 years and was self-employed in the Auto Body repair business.

In addition to his wife of the home, Mr. Tyson is survived by five daughters, Julie Williams, Jeannie Singleton and husband Ray, Tina Singleton and husband Mark, Cindy and Natalie, four sons, Larry Tyson and wife Joanie, Michael Tyson, Kevin Dunn, Brian Dunn and wife Esther, a brother, Harold Tyson and wife Carolyn three sisters, Louise Norman, Joyce Smith and husband James and Ruby Manning and husband Carlton and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Tyson is preceded in death by a son Willie James Tyson, Jr., and a brother, Billy Ray Tyson.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home of Tina and Mark Singleton, 5441 Clarks Neck Road, Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be offered to the family and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Tyson family.