Mr. William Harold Maready, Sr., age 75, of Wallace died Sunday evening, August 12, 2012. Graveside service will be held Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Rockfish Memorial Cemetery in Wallace. The service will be conducted by Rev. Charles Allard.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda Brinkley Maready, of the home; two sons, William Harold Maready, Jr. and wife Sherry Gregory Maready of Elizabeth City, and Gregory Alan Maready and wife Geneva Carlton Maready of Wallace; a daughter, Susan Ashley Maready of Charlotte; two grandchildren, Mary Katherine Maready and Matthew Carlton Maready of Wallace; one brother, Charles Maready and wife Lucy Maready of Raleigh; aunts Gladys Maready of Emerald Isle and Jeanette Maready of Chinquapin and several maternal relatives in Wayne County; his mother-in-law, Helen Brinkley, of Wallace; one brother-in-law, Buddy Brinkley, of Wallace, and sister-in-law, Anita Brinkley Yost, and husband, Bill Yost of Salisbury, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Harold was born in Duplin County, in the Mill Swamp community of Chinquapin, July 9, 1937, to the late William Franklin and Mattie Suggs Maready. He graduated from Chinquapin High School in 1955 and Kings Business College in Raleigh in 1956. He served his country as a member of the Army National Guard and Reserves earning the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. Harold's work career was spent in employment with JP Stevens, Kramer's Department Store, and Worsley Oil Company of Wallace where he was employed for nearly 41 years until his retirement in 2005.

Mr. Maready's community efforts were numerous. He was a charter member of the Wallace Jaycees, served in the Wallace Lion's Club, was a past master and current trustee with the Wallace Masonic Lodge #595 and was a retired member of the Wallace Fire Department where he served 18 years and held the office of Secretary-Treasurer.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Wallace.

Pallbearers will be Garry Murphy, Wayne Rich, Ronnie Rich, Darret Ezzell, Mark Minshew, Steve Wells, Joe Brown, and A.C. Rivenbark. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chief Chuck Farrior and the Active and Retired Members of the Wallace Volunteer Fire Department.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassionate and exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28401. The family will receive at Padgett Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 14, and other times at the residence.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30