Wilbur Thompson (Bill) Inman of Holden Beach, formerly of Rowland, NC, died Friday, September 14, 2012 with his family by his side.

Bill was born on March 12, 1926, in Robeson County, son of the late Joseph Raymond and Amelia Thompson Inman. Bill was preceded in death by his first born son, Joseph Raymond Inman, Jr., his sister Martha Inman Smith and brother’s Dick, William, Roger, Johnny and Bobby Inman.  Bill grew up and lived most of his life in Rowland, NC, where he met and married Ruth Mayes Lamb on July 23, 1948.  They were married 64 years and raised four children together.
Bill is survived by his wife, Ruth; their children: Jimmy and wife Laurie of Leland, NC; Annie Ruth Schilling and husband Michael of Holden Beach, NC; Tommy and wife Suzi of Rowland, NC; five grandchildren, Anna Marie Jackson Wolfe and husband Christian of Dillon, SC; Kelly Inman of Raleigh, NC; Jordan and Tyler Inman, Emily Bracey of Rowland, NC; two great-grandchildren Jackson and Ruthie Wolfe of Dillon, SC; three sisters, Betty Anne Floyd of Fairmont, NC; Anna Margaret Overman of Douglas, AZ; Pauline Hudson of Greenville, NC; brother Pat of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; and many nieces and nephews spread all over the US and overseas.
Bill was a lifelong member of the Rowland Presbyterian Church and served his country in the US Navy for 4 years during World War II on a minesweeper ship in the North Sea, on LSM 452 during the battle for Okinawa in the South Pacific and was in the armada headed toward Japan when the end of the war was announced.  He always said the most beautiful sight he had ever seen was the night they announced the end of WWII and all the ships turned their deck lights on for the first time.  He said there were literally hundreds of ships as far as he could see in every direction.  Bill and Frank Cranford of Dillon, SC, opened and operated Dixie Carpet Service in Rowland for many years.  Fond memories were made at the many barbeques they prepared and shared with members in the surrounding community each December before the Christmas holiday.  Bill and Ruth retired and moved from Rowland to Holden Beach where he could do what he loved…live on the water and fish.  Hewas always a sailor at heart.
The family would like to thank Carolyn and Heather Gales for their love and care as well as The Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their dedicated support during his final days.
Services will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the Rowland Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive visitors prior to the service at 10:30 am in the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rowland Presbyterian Church, Post Office Box 88, Rowland, NC 28383, or to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center at 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, NC 28422.
No one understands the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.  Our father was a special person. We’ve loved him, laughed with him, and cried with him.  We will cherish the many memories he’s left us.  Thanks, “Daddy”, “Papa”, “Great-Papa”,… you will be greatly missed.
Condolences may be sent to the family at:  aschilling@atmc.net or mailed to 2022 W. Sea Aire Canal SW, Holden Beach, NC  28462.