William Ronald Deans, Sr.
May 11, 1935 ~ April 27, 2022
William Ronald Deans Sr died at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on April 27, 2022 at age 86 after a 5-month illness. He was pre-deceased by his parents William Randolph Deans and Mollie Ray Moore Deans, sister Barbara Ray Deans, and first wife Mary Lewis Griffin Foote.
He was born in the Nash County farmhouse of J.W. and Savannah Moore (his grand-parents) on May 11, 1935. He grew up in Red Oak, blessed by a wealth of family, friends, and community support. He graduated from Red Oak High School in 1953 and graduated from Duke University with a BA in economics.
Ronald was commissioned in the US Air Force in 1957. He completed jet pilot and interceptor training and Squadron Officer School. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, National War College, and George Washington University with an MS in international relations. On exchange duty with the US Navy he did Carrier Pilot Qualification flying Navy jets off an aircraft carrier. He served as Officer for Policy and Plans in Southeast Asia, wing commander at Shepherd Air Force Base, the Pentagon, and commander of the US Military Advisory Group in Thailand. He did two combat tours in Vietnam. In 1967 he flew A-4 Skyhawks from an aircraft carrier and in 1969 he flew F-4 Phantoms out of Danang, totaling 134 combat missions. He was shot down in enemy territory, rescued by helicopter, and promptly resumed combat flying. His military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.
Upon retiring from the military in 1981, Ronald assumed management of the family business, allowing his parents to retire. He ran the Service Sales Truck Dealership in Rocky Mount and the College Park recreational vehicle dealership in Raleigh.
Ronald loved to travel. Anyone acquainted with Mollie and Randolph knows this was in his veins long before the Air Force got to him. He was humorous, loved to talk, and could do so with most anyone on any topic. He was a Duke fan while his sister Barbara was UNC all the way, a matter not yet resolved. Ronald acted and sang in local theatre productions both at the Tank Theatre in Rocky Mount and the Recreational Center in Linville, NC. He and Gay regularly attended services at the Baptist Church in Newland and hosted Sunday School events at their home. They have many cherished friends in the Linville-Newland community.
We wish to thank Shawn and Steve Morris, Joe and Leah Loffeck, other neighbors, and the Land Harbor Police Department. Through kindness of others, Ronald and Gay were able to live longer in the home and community they loved. Our family is grateful.
Our family thanks the staff of Watauga Hospital in Boone, NC, Life Care of Banner Elk, and the NC State Veterans' home for all their efforts on Ronald's behalf.
Ronald is survived by his wife Gay Sanders Deans, stepson Hugh Mitchell Britt, sons William Ronald Deans Jr (Charlotte) and David Spruill Deans (Marcia), eight grandchildren, and great grand-children.
There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday May 7, 2022 at the Red Oak Cemetery led by Paster David Joyner.
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.
Service
Red Oak Baptist Church Cemetery
5515 Red Oak Road
Red Oak, NC 27868
Saturday 5/7, 11:00 am - 11:30 am
There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday May 7, 2022 at the Red Oak Cemetery led by Paster David Joyner.
Cemetery
Red Oak Baptist Church Cemetery
5515 Red Oak Road
Red Oak, NC 27868
Saturday 5/7, 11:00 am - 11:30 am
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
May God bless and keep your family in you time of sorrow. May you find peace and comfort in your sweet memories.
So many cherished memories of growing up next door to my ‘big brother’ cousin letting me ‘help’ him feed his rabbits, allowing Alan and me to camp out in his Boy Scout tent (from which we made a hasty escape when Alan’s huge dog, Brownie, lay down on the tent), always flying low over our houses and ‘waving’ his plane’s wings at us whenever he flew in to Eastern N.C., etc.,etc. Ronald (Mary Lewis) and his dearest Gay were always open, accepting, loving and supportive of me & Emily. What an exceptional man…….. Emily & I will miss our monthly phone visits and recollections of family. Love you, man… fly on.❣️
Lois and i are so saddened to hear of the loss of Ron Deans! We will be praying for comfort, peace and strength for Gay and The Family. My Dad use to buy Trucks from Ron’s Dad and Ron lived in the neighborhood next to us in Rocky Mount several before they lived at NewlandLinville. We 1st met in 2017 at Linville when we bought a home there. We would run into Ron and Gay at The Post Office and The Tarton Restaurant in Linville. From the 1st time we met Ron and Gay treated us we Joy, kindness and as part of their family, Ron was so Jolly all the time and Gay was always dressed like a doll and so beautiful. They are well known in LinvilleNewland and we found out they use to dress up and make appearances as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to bring cheer to the community. They invited us to their home, where we were warmly received and I was amazed at hearing how Ron served our Country with honor in The U S Air Force for so many years, in so many capacities. Ron was a very intelligent man (always encouraging and enthusiastic)that loved serving our Country! What an honor and a pleasure to get to know Ron. Ron truly made this world a better place! I am sure part of Ron will continue to live through many of us!
Dear Bill and Charlotte and Family, We are saddened to hear of the passing of Bill’s dad. We were amazed by all his many accomplishments listed in the obituary and know he will be someone greatly missed by his family. As US citizens, we also appreciate his long line of service in the US Air Force and all the sacrifices he made while serving. Since you have left Rocky Mount, we can’t tell you our condolences in person, but please know that our hearts go out to you at this time of loss just as much as if you were still around the corner from us. May God’s peace and comfort be with all of you. Betty and Rich Michal
My sincere condolences to the Dean Family. I was stationed at Danang with Bill in 1969 and then crossed trails with him when I was stationed with the 33 TFW at Eglin AFB in the early 1970’s. Bill was a great friend with whom I had lost contact. Always valued our friendship and the trust he shared with me. Just saw the obituary announcement on Facebook. Would have replied earlier had I know. Bill was a very special person and mentor to me. Rest In Peace, Bill.
I just learned of Bill’s passing last year. We called him Bill when he joined us in my Navy Squadron as an Air Force Exchange pilot. His is a big loss, even at this late date. We flew together a lot and loved having him as a friend and squadronmate.
I flew with Bill on his first flight with us and the single seat A-4 Skyhawk. There were three of us, including my normal flight leader, Gerry Stark, who was our squadron’s Operations Officer. I remember after landing from a local flight around the area and walked back the hangar, Bill remarked that it was great fun flying his new Navy jet and “It’s too bad that we can’t do it a gain.” Gerry replied, “If you want to go again, just tell maintenance I said to give you another airplane.” “We can do that? ” Bill said. That began his new assignment in a service much more relaxed than he was used to. He was a great person and pilot. I loved flying with him.