William "Bill" Thomas Savage, 90, of the Penderlea Community, Willard, passed from his earthly home to eternity on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 1:11 p.m..

He was born May 27, 1922 in Pender County, the son of the late William Cluvious and Fannie McKoy Savage. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Winoah S. Pope; brothers, Alva Leonard Savage and Carl Clifford Savage and his son-in-law, William Francis Barry III.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lottie Hawks Savage; daughters, Hilda Diane Savage Barry of Winston-Salem, Bonnie S. Horrell (Wayne) of Atkinson and Sara C. Youngblood (Peter) of Portsmouth, VA; grandchildren, Thomas Wayne Horrell (Christy), Wendy Lane Wooten (Kevin), Benjamin Savage Gerhartz (Wilma) and Amy Lynn Gerhartz; and great grandchildren, Caleb Thomas Horrell, Brandon Lee Horrell, Isaac William Gerhartz, Ella Katherine Gerhartz, Hannah Patterson Wooten and Samuel Carter Wooten. He was "Granddaddy Bill" to Liv and Ruby Casey. He is also survived by Craig Gerhartz, father of Benjamin and Amy Gerhartz.

Mr. Savage was a faithful member of Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church, Wallace Lodge No. 595 A.F. & A.M., and Scottish Rite Bodies in Wilmington. He was a retired fireman with Penderlea Volunteer Fire Department. He became an avid reader later in life and was a faithful patron of the Burgaw library.

Bill was father to Hilda, Bonnie and Sara; loving them and teaching them to use his tools, put them away when finished, and to close the lid of the paint can before shaking it.

Bill's strong faith and thankfulness for his many blessings were evident to others by the daily life that he lived. Always with a smile on his face and a kind word to greet you, Bill set a positive Christian example for his beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to follow. Bill loved God's bountiful rich earth and each year enjoyed having a garden. He will be remembered as a gentle, kind man who loved and served his Lord, his family and his community. Bill lived his entire life by a simple creed: Do justice, love your neighbor, and walk humbly with God. Well done Thy good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church with C.L.P. John Birkenheuer officiating. Burial will follow in Potts Memorial Church Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Caleb Horrell, Kevin Wooten, Coke Mclamb, Randy Rivenbark, Bob Williamson, Leon McMillan, Chris Marks and Greg McNeill.

The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. until hour of the service.

Memorial gifts may be given to Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Wanda Marks, 2453 Crooked Run Rd., Willard NC 28478 or to Friends of Pender County Library, PO Box 879, Burgaw NC 28425.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting "Memory Wall" above.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Potts Memorial Presbyterian Church with C.L.P. John Birkenheuer officiating. Burial will follow in Potts Memorial Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. until hour of the service.