Atkinson- Wilbur Curtis Woodcock, age 87, died Sunday, April 6, 2008 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center following a short illness.

He was born October 20, 1920 in Pender County, the son of the late Neil Melvin and Ada Bramble Woodcock. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Neil Marcus , Jack and Bernice Woodcock and sister, Doris W. Cherry.

Mr. Woodcock is survived by his wife of 66 years, Raye Wethington Woodcock; his son, Neil Woodcock and wife, Brenda, of Raleigh; grandson, Kenneth Woodcock and wife, Michele, of Niceville, Florida; granddaughter, Angela Garcia-Lamarca and husband, Morgan, of Durham; granddaughter, Heather Carlson and husband, Greg; and great grandson, Donovan and great granddaughter, Madeline, of Bangor, Maine; son, Henry Woodcock and wife, Julie, of Clayton; grandson, H. Curtis Woodcock; great grandsons, Jacob and Adam, of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Rebecca Kuyrlo and husband, Matt, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; granddaughter, Lauren Woodcock; great granddaughter, Kaitlyn, of Christiansburg, Virginia; and daughter, Nancy DeGrant and husband, Kenny; grandsons, Kenneth and Curtis of Richmond, Kentucky.

A resident of Pender County, Mr. Woodcock was born in Atkinson. He married Raye in 1941 and the newly weds moved to Washington, DC where Wilbur contributed to the World War II Victory as a machinist in the Washington Navy Yard. Following the war, Wilbur and Raye returned to Pender County where he provided for his family in a series of enterprises: operating a traveling sawmill, raising poultry, swine and farm products ranging from peppers and strawberries to tobacco, corn and soy beans.

Mr. Woodcock was a life long member of Caswell Presbyterian Church in Atkinson, where he served as a deacon, elder and as Sunday School Superintendent for 45 years. He was a founding member of the Atkinson Ruritan Club and remained a member for 50 years. He was charter member of Atkinson Volunteer Fire Department. He competed at all levels, from local to national, in the Senior Games, bringing home numerous medals.

The family will receive friends in the Caswell Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, one hour prior to the funeral service.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Caswell Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Roy Brewton officiating.

Burial will follow in Woodcock Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Kenneth Woodcock, Curtis Woodcock, Morgan Garcia-Lamarca, Matt Kurylo, Kenneth DeGrant, and Curtis DeGrant.

Wilbur was first and foremost a Christian who dedicated his life to his family, his church and his community. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of strong character, loyalty, education and taught them how to love, laugh, dance and enjoy life to the fullest.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.