Obituary of James Dickens

James William "Bill" Dickens, 87, died peacefully on the evening of November 14, 2012 at Hospice of Wake County.

He was born in Nash Co., NC on September 28, 1925 to Alma Fisher Dickens and Luther James Dickens. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Mellie Christine Dickens and his sister Thelma "Tweet" Cockrell.

He served n the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946 as a radioman operator on the USS Hampton. In 1947 Bill married Mellie Christine Pearce of Wilson and attended Louisburg College. They moved to Raleigh and lived in Vetville while he attended NCSU until he received his degree in Agriculture Engineering in 1951. He then worked in Whiteville and Oxford as Superintendent of the Tobacco Research Stations before returning to NCSU to get his Masters in Agriculture Engineering. He remained at NCSU doing research for the USDA for the rest of his career and retired in 1989. He developed ways to bring peanuts to market safer, faster and of higher quality. He was most recognized for his invention of the Peanut Kernel Splitter and Orientator. It is still used today to test the quality of peanuts gong to market.

Bill and his wife Christine were very active in the Wynnewood Park Methodist Church, now known as Avent Ferry Road Methodist Church. They were one of the founding families of the church in 1956 when it started in a barn in Wynnewood near NCSU campus. He also enjoyed years volunteering with the West Raleigh Exchange Club and watching his sons and grandson play baseball there at West Raleigh. He was a wonderful supportive father and a loving and involved grandfather.

He is survived by three children, Keith William Dickens and friend Denise Davis of the home, Janet Dickens Rogers and husband Mike of Cary, and Dwight David Dickens of Cary. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren Sherry Powers and husband Patrick and their children Blakely and Adam of Murrells Inlet, SC, Ashley Dickens and boyfriend Michael Robinson and their children Madilin and Jaylinn of Hillsborough, Sarah Almeida and husband Wesley and their children Kayleb and Layla of Hillsborough, Kyle Rogers and Kristi Rogers of Cary.

The family wants to thank Mary Walker of Raleigh. She has been a special friend and constant companion of our father. We appreciate all her love and support especially over these past few years.

A private family graveside service will be held at Montlawn Memorial Park at 2911 S. Wilmington Street on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Avent Ferry Road Methodist Church Building Fund at 2700 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh, NC 27606