William Franklin Rea, Sr.

   William Franklin Rea, Sr., 95, of 807 Sandy Ridge Road, Tyner, NC, passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in his home.

   Mr. Rea was born in Chowan County on April 27, 1920, and was the son of the late William D., Jr. and Virginia Pearl Harris Rea. A retired building contractor, he had been a member of both Kings Grant Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA and Albemarle Baptist Church in Edenton. He was an Army veteran of World War II.

   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death his wife, Mary Harrell Rea; a granddaughter, two sisters, five brothers, and a son-in-law, John Mauser.

   Surviving are three daughters, Mary Linda Stewart and husband Clayton of Chesapeake, VA, Andrea Lee Watson and husband Kenneth of Edenton, and Terri Ellen Mauser of Tyner; two sons, William F. Rea, Jr., and Daniel Keith Rea and wife Lynn, all of Virginia Beach, VA; a brother, Marion H. Rea of Portsmouth, VA; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. 

   Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, and will be officiated by Pastor Greg Brinson. Friends may join the family in the funeral home immediately following the service, and all other times at the residence. A graveside service with military honors will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Olive Branch Cemetery at City Park in Portsmouth. 

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.