William Carey Stainback

William "Bill" Carey Stainback, 85, passed away on Thursday November 16, 2023 in Raleigh. He was born on July 15, 1938 in Lumberton, North Carolina, the son of George “Preacher” Graham Stainback and Wilma Grey Dean Stainback. He was a talented basketball coach, dedicated teacher, proud veteran, and avid outdoorsman.

At North Carolina State University, Bill was in ROTC, a member of the Pershing Rifles, sang in the Men's Glee Club, and played on the Freshman Basketball team. During his years at NCSU, he met his beloved wife, Lorraine.

After graduating from college, he entered the military, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. He became a member of the Caterpillar Club during his military service when his life was saved by parachuting from a plane after one of the engines failed.

He then began a long career as a math teacher, coach, and driver's education teacher. Although he was primarily a basketball coach, he also coached other sports including baseball, football, soccer, and golf. After earning his Master’s degree in Math Education at NCSU, Norm Sloan offered him an assistant coaching job at the university, but he choose to honor a previous commitment to coach at Sandhills Community college. In all his years of coaching basketball, he had winning record in every year expect for a single season, in which he was one game short of a winning record. He was known as a disciplinarian and was considered tough but fair. Bill made a lasting impact on the lives of many young people as he coached and shaped players and students for college.

He was also an extremely talented fisherman, receiving several citations from the NC Wildlife Resources commission for catching large fish. Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports his entire life, and spent much of his long retirement fishing in the South River. His children and grandchildren spent many hours learning to fish from him.

He is survived by children Tammy Stainback Jackson, James Oliver Stainback (Debbie), and Jay Graham Stainback (Juliet); sister Patricia Hart (Tommy); grandchildren Diane Morton, Billie Burdis, Melissa DeLong, Carey Jackson, Daniel Stainback, Kelly Finn, Michael Stainback, and Kyle Stainback; eight great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by wife Lorraine Stainback, brother Ralph Stainback, sister-in-law Jane Stainback, and son-in-law James Jackson.

A Memorial service will be held Sunday November 19, 2023 at 2 o’clock at North Raleigh Church of Christ 701 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615. The family will have a time of visitation from 1-2 pm prior to the memorial service on Sunday at North Raleigh Church of Christ.

A graveside service will be held Monday November 20, 2023 at 3 o’clock at Flat Rock Baptist Church 1529 Flat Rock Church Rd, Louisburg, NC 27549. An informal viewing will be available in the Fellowship Hall of the church at 2:15 prior to the service.

Please visit www.brightfuenrals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Stainback family.

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