STANTONSBURG — William Bennett “Bud” Flanner III, died Friday, April 26, 2019.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Howell Swamp Free Will Baptist Church, 673 Speights Bridge Road, Walstonburg, followed by a time of visiting and sharing.

Bud’s profession was home improvements. He was owner of Flanner Contracting, Inc. in Stantonsburg. But his true passion was spreading the word of God. He was an active member of the Howell Swamp Free Will Baptist Church. He also devoted much of his time and energy to the Eastern North Carolina Gideons International organization. He was president of the Goldsboro North Camp as well as held the church ministry for the camp, demonstrating his love for ministry and his love for people. In his leisure time, he enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing, being outdoors and UNC Tar Heels sports.

He is survived by daughter, Laura Ashley Flanner of Atlantic Beach; son, William Bennett “Will” Flanner IV (companion, Tonja Palma) of Wilmington; mother of his children, Jan Flanagan Coltrain of Morehead City; grandson, Jalen Ty Flanner; sisters, Elizabeth Flanner Hamilton (Robert) of Garner and Donna Maria Flanner of Wilson; and his loving and compassionate companion, Mary “Teny” Jones of Walstonburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William B. Flanner Jr. and Florence Daigle Flanner; and second wife, Dottie Edmundson Flanner.

Memorials are suggested to Howell Swamp FWB Church, c/o Debbie Gay, 930 Meadow Road, Walstonburg, NC 27888 or Gideons International, Goldsboro North Camp, c/o Ken Gidian, P.O. Box 10093, Goldsboro, NC 27532.