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Mr. William “Billy” Ray Baynor Sr., age 83, a resident of Pantego, died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, at his home.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, officiated by Craig Hagen and Billy Ray Askew. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens. Bernie Van Essendelft, Mart Benson, Tony Russ, Stephen Ruark, George Howard Elliott and Tom Burbage will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Henry Bowen, Chuck Latham and Alex Latham.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home. The service and visitation will be held with social distancing and wearing of masks.

Mr. Billy was born in Beaufort County on May 25, 1937, son of the late Howard Molton Baynor and the late Shirley Blanche Padgett. He was a 1955 graduate of Pantego High School. On Aug. 9, 1957, he married the love of his life, the former Martha Rose Shavender, who survives. He was a member of St. Clair’s Church of Christ, a 50-plus year member of Belhaven Lodge #509 AF & AM Masonic Lodge, a member of Local #415 Operating Engineers, a charter member of Green Sea Hunting Club, a member of Pantego Academy Museum Association, where he served as president for six years and a former member of Pantego Ruritan Club. A hobby of his was beekeeping and he was a member of North Carolina Beekeeper’s Association, where he served on the board.

Surviving along with his wife of 63 years, Martha Baynor, of the home, are his children, Lori Baynor Blackburn (John), of Pantego, William “Ray” Baynor Jr. (Gena), of Madison, Ohio, and John R. Baynor (Hank Foreman), of Boone; grandchildren, Crystal Blackburn Toler (Nathan), of New Bern, Matt Blackburn, of Pantego, Julia Elizabeth Baynor and Michelle Gwenn Baynor, both of Tennessee, and Sophie Giffin, of Ohio; great-granddaughters, Adie and Brinleigh Toler, of New Bern; and nieces, Sandy Strauss (David), of Texas, and Susanna Speropoulos, of Virginia. Mr. Billy was predeceased by a daughter, Katherine René Baynor; a brother, Melvin Wayne Baynor; and a sister, Hyison B. Smithwick.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Clair’s Church of Christ, 9814 N.C. Highway 99 South, Bath, NC 27808 and Wilkinson Church of Christ, c/o Diane Ahearn, 141 Wilkinson Station Road, Pantego, NC 27860.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve Mr. Billy’s family.