Obituary of Willard Pleasant

Willard Pleasant, 95, died on August 1, 2011. Born in Johnston County, NC in 1916, he was the third of ten children to Julia and Benton Pleasant. In 1940, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BS in Commerce. His first job was selling products for the American Tobacco Company. He served his country in World War II in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Captain. He married Hazel Jones in 1946, and they eventually settled in Raleigh to raise four daughters.

While living in Raleigh, he worked for Nationwide Insurance Company. He was District Sales Manager and later opened his own agency. He belonged to the Capital City Kiwanis Club, serving as past president, and was active in both church and school activities with his wife and children. He and his family were charter members of Saint Paul's Christian Church in Raleigh, where he served as an Elder for many years. He and his wife were also charter members of the First Christian Church of Fayetteville. He was a Shriner with the Amran Shrine.

Throughout his career, he continued to farm and acquire land. After retiring from Nationwide, he fulfilled a long-time dream to develop some of his property in North Carolina. He created two housing developments: Eden Woods in Smithfield, and Creeks Bend just outside of Apex.

He is survived by a large and loving family: his wife of 65 years Hazel Jones Pleasant; his daughters, JoAnn Sieburg-Baker, Judy Ives, Kathryn Luther, and Dell Edwards; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Christian Church at 3331 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh at 11 o'clock on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family on www.montlawn.com