William Leroy Whaley Jr.

William Leroy Whaley, Jr. (Billy) passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at ECU Health in Greenville. He was preceded in death by his father, William Leroy Whaley, Sr. of Pleasant Hill; grandparents, William and Annie Whaley of Pleasant Hill, and Hoyt and Ella Humphrey of Trenton; and Aunt Jo Ann Hill.

He is survived by his son, William Tyler Whaley (Courtney) of Kinston; mother, Pat Whaley of Pleasant Hill; sister, Deborah Heath (O’Neal) of Pleasant Hill; nephew, Patrick Heath of Pink Hill; two special great-nieces, Mallory, and Hadley Heath both of Kinston; special aunts, Marie Blizzard (J.E.) of Greenville, and Elsie Johnson (Gene) of Wilmington; uncle, Sammy Hill of Deep Run, who was very close to Billy’s heart.

Billy was a very accomplished farmer who farmed in five Eastern North Carolina counties. He loved every aspect of agriculture; however, his greatest love was the gold leaf. Billy enjoyed planting, harvesting, and marketing tobacco. He was always receptive to change and looking for new ways to be cost efficient in the tobacco industry.

During 1997, Billy along with other tobacco producers in Lenoir County participated in a research project to study bale tobacco versus standard burlap sheets. Billy believed that tobacco in bales was one way to regain market advantage. In 1999, Billy completed a Phillip Morris Agricultural Leadership Development Program at NCSU. As part of the program, he traveled to Brazil and Mexico to see first-hand what American tobacco farmers were facing with foreign competition. Billy believed it was important for tobacco growers to realize to be competitive in foreign markets, they would have to continue to use the most cost-efficient farming techniques to maintain a high-quality leaf. He was always researching and studying new ways to get the most proficient work out of a piece of equipment. Billy was always reading and researching chemical combinations to aid in higher crop yields, as well. As time passed, when tobacco was not as profitable, Billy spent a lot of time, effort, and money trying to get the tobacco buyout program passed.

Billy loved family, home, country living, country food, and country music. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church and grew up with a loving Christian family.  May he rest in peace.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 11:00 am at Oakridge Memorial Park, Pink Hill, NC with Reverend Lynn Maxwell officiating.

Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Christian Church Memorial Fund, 364 Vine Swamp Road, Kinston, NC 28504.