Mr. Willis Lee Joyner Sr., age 85, a resident of 497 Wilkinson Station Road, Pantego, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at his home.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven, officiated by Linwood Adams. Burial will follow in Yeatesville Cemetery. Johnny Joyner, Bud Adams, Aaron Adams, Paul Bartle, Tom Holloman and Matthew Adams will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Joyner, Ricky Tripp Jr., Tony Tripp, Darren Miller and Ricky Tripp Sr.

Mr. Joyner was born in Pitt County on June 9, 1926, son of the late Walter Lee Joyner and the late Annie Ruth Hinson Joyner. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Joyner married the former Fannie Louise Shackleford on Oct. 2, 1943, who preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 2006.  Following his military career, he was a farmer and worked as a corrections officer in Tyrell County. Mr. Joyner was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed the outdoors while hunting and fishing. He was a member of New Hope Church of Christ.

Mr. Joyner is survived by two daughters: Linda Tripp of Belhaven, and Sallie Sawyer and husband Jerry of Pantego; a son, Willis Joyner Jr. and wife Jo Ann of Pantego; eleven grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his loving companion and pet named Naco, and caregivers Shelia Lassiter and Lorie Lilley. Mr. Joyner was preceded in death by a son, Donald Joyner, and a daughter, Alma Holloman.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to New Hope Church of Christ, Building Fund, c/o Mary Smith, 24 Pungo View Road, Belhaven, NC 27810.

Condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Joyner family.