William Vernon Pleasants | Eastern NC Now

    Bill was born in Raleigh, NC on June 27, 1929, the son of H. McKay and Uva Mathews Pleasants of Raleigh, NC. He graduated from Needham Broughton High School and was an Eagle Scout. He then matriculated to Auburn University with a degree in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He originally worked for Sperry Rand Corporation in Charlottesville, VA where he helped design the first guided missile systems for the Navy. He later owned and served as President of the Associated Steel Company.

    He was a charter member of the Albemarle County Rotary where he was honored to be President and a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville for many years.

    Bill served his country in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.

    He retired with his wife to Washington, NC a decade ago and quickly immersed himself in that community with his church, where he served as an Elder, and developed a multitude of friends. In Charlottesville, he was a member of Farmington Country Club for several decades where he enjoyed playing tennis and tolerated playing some golf. In Washington, he joined the Down East Seniors, and the Washington Racquet Club.

    He is survived by his wife of 55 years Ann Nimocks Pleasants, two daughters Nancy Ann Diffenbaugh (Andrew) of Nashville, TN and Mary Elizabeth McManus (Patrick) of Fredericksburg, VA. Five grandchildren, Ann Maitland McManus of Washington, DC, Elizabeth Cameron McManus of Richmond, VA, Daniel Patrick McManus of Fredericksburg, VA, as well as Ann Peyton and Elizabeth DeBerge Diffenbaugh of Nashville, TN. His sister, Kay Pleasants Williams (Joe), resides in Rocky Mount, NC.

    The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington, NC on Wednesday and interment in Fayetteville, NC on Thursday at Cross Creek Cemetery.

    In lieu of flowers the family asks to send donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Second St., Washington, NC 27889, or the East Carolina Heart Institute of Vidant Medical Center, c/o Vidant Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835.

    You may address condolences to the Pleasants family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

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