Joseph Newman Honeycutt, age 90, of Plantation Village, Wilmington and formerly of Hampstead and Burgaw died Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Joseph was born July 27, 1919 in Harnett County to Benjamin Floyd and Addie Young Honeycutt. He was predeceased by brothers, Benjamin, Rudolph, James, and Harold; and sisters, Willmoth, Fredia and Patsy.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Stella Murray Honeycutt of the home; sons, Joseph N. Honeycutt, Jr. (Lyn) of Myrtle Beach, SC and John W. Honeycutt (Deborah) of Hampstead; daughter, Joyce H. Wooten (Allen) of Burgaw; grandchildren, Blair Honeycutt of Wilmington, Holly Honeycutt of Wilmington and Sarah Leinhaas of Raleigh (daughters of Joe and Lyn), Wesley Wooten of Hampstead and Natalie Wooten of Charleston, SC (children of Joyce and Allen), and Michelle Honeycutt of Seattle, WA, Kelli Storey of Gastonia, Lori Kelchen of Cedar Rapids, IA, Curt Bean and Craig Bean both of Marion, IA (children of John and Deborah); and several nieces and nephews.

A 1942 graduate of NC State University with a degree in Agronomy, Mr. Honeycutt was retired as County Extension Chairman with the Pender County Extension Service, 1949-1974. In 1967 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

A Veteran of the US Army Air Corps in WW II, he served as a 1st Lieutenant overseas in the Middle East and European Campaigns.

Joseph was a member of National Association of Retired Federal Employees, W. Dudley Robbins Post 165 in Burgaw and a charter member of the Burgaw Jaycees. He was formerly a Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, working for the betterment of Pender County.

Mr. Honeycutt was a dedicated member of Hampstead United Methodist Church, having served as Sunday school superintendant, president of the Men's Bible Class, chairman of the Finance Committee, served on the Board of Trustees and as a church steward. He gave generously of his time and talents, also serving on other various committees.

He was an entrepreneur, having established the first feed mill in Wallace in 1947, part-time farmer, developer of Cypress Point Mobile Home Park near Burgaw and was president of Honeycutt and Wooten Company, Inc., a family owned business. He also developed and owned Hampstead Marina, 1973-2002.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. at Hampstead United Methodist Church on Friday, October 16, 2009 with The Rev. Joseph Casteel officiating.

Interment will follow in Watha United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Hampstead United Methodist Church, 15395 US Hwy 17 N, Hampstead, NC 28443 or to Watha United Methodist Church, PO Box 224, Willard, NC 28478.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.