Joseph “Newt” Williford, 1929-2009

My grandfather, the son of an eastern NC tobacco sharecropper, was a gruff old man with a big heart. He loved bluegrass music, especially when he was picking on his guitar or banjo; he loved NC State athletics, the Atlanta Braves, and NASCAR; he never turned down a pig pickin’ or a fish fry. Early on I remember his fondness for golf, but in his retirement he was more often found on the Triple S pier (Atlantic Beach, NC) with a rod and reel. He was a typical southern blue dog, patriotic, conservative about life, conservative about his wallet, too young to serve in WWII, a new father in Korea, an active Free Mason and a dedicated church member.

As the years passed, moving away, then moving back, visits were often sporadic and short. As a young adult, I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with him while I was at ECU, and as I moved on, started a family, started to get busy, again the visits got sporadic and short. Then last summer we became neighbors, a mere 20 minute drive. He played that guitar for my boys; he bounced his great-granddaughter on his knee; we shared some good food – mostly BBQ. The last 18 months were some of the best for him, I think. He and I grew quite close, talking often about politics, sports, family, food, cars, history and life in general.

Three months ago, the Lord started calling the old man home. Like all of us, he fought for a while, but soon realized it was time. I have no doubt he’s already loved on his mom and dad, thrown a hook in that great ocean in the sky, and probably even sank a long putt on some majestic par 4. He loved to talk, and now he’s got an eternity to share.

He was loved, he will be missed.