Howard William "Bill" Beddingfield Jr.

SPRING HOPE – Howard William “Bill” Beddingfield, Jr., age 71, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025.  Born in Nash County, NC on February 6, 1954, he was the son of the late Howard and Elaine Beddingfield.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Jo Lynn Bone.

Bill grew up and spent much of his life in the community of Gold Valley near Spring Hope, surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was a graduate of Southern Nash High School and East Carolina University, and he retired from working for the Department of Corrections in 2018. Bill loved to cook and was proud of his recipes that he spent years perfecting – particularly for vegetable soup, spaghetti, and meat loaf. He was dedicated to his garden and enjoyed sharing the fruits (and vegetables) of his labor with loved ones, despite insisting every spring that it would probably not be a very good yield because of the weather. Bill was an avid Tar Heel fan, even during the times when they made it difficult. Listening to beach music and oldies was one of his favorite ways to enjoy himself, and he could be heard singing beach music songs to himself around the house often, particularly Far Away Places by the Embers. He loved Chicago, the band, so much that he took his family to several of their concerts and reminisced about them often. The thing that gave Bill the most joy of his life was spending time with his grandchildren, particularly when they were toddlers and he would travel to Knightdale multiple times a week to take them on walks in their stroller or to pull them around in the wagon he gave them. He remembered those times fondly for the rest of his days.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kristen Learned (Rob); his son, Howard William “Ward” Beddingfield, III; his grandchildren, Rose, Robby, and Jack Learned; Susan Beddingfield; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Sunset Avenue Baptist Church, 3732 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, with Pastor Dr. Robin Fisher and Pastor Jim Gillespie officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Pine Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, 865 Pine Ridge Road, Zebulon, NC 27597.  Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service at Sunset Avenue Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to Sunset Avenue Baptist Church, 3732 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.