William "Bill" Robert Tyson, Jr.

William Robert Tyson, Jr. (Bill) age 82, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2021, surrounded by family at his bedside and on FaceTime. His death followed a valiant two week battle with Covid-19.

Bill was born on January 5, 1939 in Wilmington, Delaware to William Robert Tyson and Hannah Wells Tyson. Until he was twelve, he lived in Seaford, Delaware, then briefly in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. His family moved to Aiken, South Carolina where he graduated from Aiken High School in 1957. He attended Duke University on an Angier B. Duke Scholarship but later transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his BA in Journalism and a Master’s in Marketing and Advertising.

Following graduation, he entered the Army where he was stationed in Washington, DC in intelligence. Bill continued to live in Washington, working for various companies until 1978, when he moved to Malibu, California. There he worked for the Postal Service until his retirement in 1998. Shortly after he moved to Tarboro, North Carolina to be close to family.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and several uncles and aunts.

He is survived by his twin sisters, Judy Tyson Smithson (Tony) of Rochester, MN and Charlotte Tyson Mewborn (Johnny) of Farmville, NC. Nieces and nephews include: Molly Maria Smithson Salisbury (Gregg) of Red Hook, NY; David Smithson of Rochester, MN; Paul Smithson (Leslie) of Stillwater, MN; Amy Mewborn Meadowcroft (Les) of Raleigh, NC; Kevin Mewborn (Amy) of Wilmington, NC. Bill’s great nieces and nephew are Sanna Smithson, Sophia and Isolde Salisbury, Leslie and Tyson Meadowcroft, and Natalya Mewborn. Bill was a loving brother, brother-in-law and uncle to us all.

Bill was a member of AA where he celebrated 30 years of sobriety in 2020. He regularly attended meetings in Rocky Mount, NC and was a beloved member of his community. Bill was known not only for his kindness and generosity to his biologic family but also to his AA family. He was always willing to listen, give a needed ride, or help with food or rent, expecting nothing in return.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the Tarboro, NC Vidant Edgecombe Hospital staff for the excellent care Bill received during his illness.

A private service will be held on a future date in Pottsville. PA, where Bill will be interred with his parents.

The family requests memorials to Rocky Mount AA, c/o Men’s Christian Fellowship Home, 301 South Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.

Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.carlislefuneralhome.com.

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