William Richard Pressley
December 14, 1940 ~ August 16, 2022
William Richard Pressley, age 81, passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
A native of Moore County, born on December 14, 1940, Richard was a son of the late Brady and Opal Lora Bowles Pressley.
He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He farmed his whole life and loved to watch things grow, but he was never too busy to lend a hand if anyone needed him. To him, farming was a passion, not a job. He was an elder at Priest Hill Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Sandhills PCA Board. In former years, he also served as president of the Farm Bureau, and Carthage Jaycees. He received soil and water conservation awards twice throughout the years. He was a member of the Sandhills Agricultural Tourism Board when he transitioned from tobacco to strawberries and other produce. His farm was the first in Moore County to have a corn maze. People had a great time finding their way through the maze and going on hayrides. He always had such an innovative spirit and was always willing to try new things. He was always up for the challenge of a new season and new opportunities to put his farmland and his skills to positive use. His children and grandchildren say that the farm was their greatest memories.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law: Greg Bailey; and sister: Opal Maxine Pressley Clark.
Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years: Ida Gail Pressley; daughter: Jennifer Bailey Wood and husband Joe; son Travis Pressley and wife Julie; brother: Brady Eugene Pressley; grandchildren: Katie Bailey Wilson and husband CJ, Hunter Bailey, Mason Bailey; step grandchildren: Zachary Wood, Natalie Wood, Morgan Wood; two great grandchildren: Jayce and Harper Wilson.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 3 PM at Priest Hill Presybertian Church with Rev. Archie Stevens officiating. A visitation will be held one hour before.
Memorial contributions may be made to: N.C. Cooperative Extension – Moore County Center.
Online condolences may be offered at www.PinesFunerals.com.
Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pressley family.
Services
Visitation: August 18, 2022 2:00 pm - April 19, 2024 3:00 pm
Priest Hill Presbyterian Church
2792 Old River Road
Carthage, NC 28327
910-947-3337
Funeral Service: August 18, 2022 3:00 pm
Priest Hill Presbyterian Church
2792 Old River Road
Carthage, NC 28327
910-947-3337
Jennifer & family, Sending heartfelt sympathy. Cherish all your great memories.
A great man and friend .
Prayers for the family.
Gonna miss u papa, tell daddy we miss and love him. I know your gonna be harvesting tobacco and daddy’s gonna be cutting grass. This ain’t a goodbye this is a see u again someday but till then keep them tractors up and running for me.
Thoughts & prayers for the family.
Gail, so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. I have lots of good memories of working with you and Richard through the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
My condolences to the Presley family. I known Richard all my life he was a great man an will be truly missed
So sorry for your loss. He was a good role model.
Travis thoughts and prayers for you and the family
Prayers for all the family, l always remember how good his strawberries was, Jennifer would deliver to us. Heartfelt prayers for all of you.
Praying for the Family during this loss, May The Lord God bless and keep the Family at this time
He was a very nice man. We are saddened to hear about his passing. Sending love and prayers to his family. We are thinking of you all
My deepest sympathy. He will be truly missed .
Very Sorry for your loss ,God Bless you Family.
Travis, Jennifer and family.
Our deepest condolences to you during this time as you remember Richard’s life.
Richard was a fine gentleman. Deepest sympathy to the family.
So sorry for your loss. Richard was an outstanding farmer and supporter of Moore County Cooperative Extension. May God give you peace during this difficult time.
Richard was a good friend, enjoyed many years working with him, from the Coop tobacco warehouse to the Moore County Farm Bureau. He’s not gone, he just left a little earlier than the rest of Family and friends!
Dear Gail, Jennifer, and family,
Richard was the kindest, most thoughtful, generous, modest, and diligent of all the people I worked with in my Extension career. I cherish all the many experiences we shared: The diverse crops he grew, the agritourism trips we took to Maryland and Pennsylvania, the corn mazes (never will I forget him hosting my daughter’s birthday party at the maze). Everything he did was always thoughtful and intelligent. He always demonstrated leadership and integrity. I learned so much from him, as others did.
I have a few pictures of Richard I would love to share with you. Please email me at taylor_williams@ncsu.edu .
8-21-22
Gail,Travis,Jennifer and family,
I’m just learning today of Richards passing. He was a kind and friendly man and a hard worker.
He will be missed by those that knew him. May God give each of you that peace that only He can give in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Pat Taylor
Jennifer and Travis, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.
So sorry for the family to hear of Richard leaving the home for the one he earned here on this earth. He was a fine gentleman and my Dad had great respect for him. It was a pleasure to work with him. May God’s love and peace be with yhe family.
We just learned of Richard’s passing this morning. Richard was a strong, kind man. Our family has very many fond memories of him. Truly a beautiful person.
Love and prayers
Elsie, Steve, Bill and Carrolyn Welsted
Our sympathy to the family!