James Wallace Riddick, Jr.

James Wallace "Wally" Riddick, Jr., 73, of Bellville, TX, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012 at his home in following a courageous battle with cancer. Wally was born January 3, 1939 in Hobbsville, Gates County, NC and was the son of the late James Wallace, Sr. and Earcle Byrum Riddick. He grew up and attended school in Hobbsville, NC, graduating from Sunbury High School, then earned his Associates Degree from Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC. Employed at J.C. Penney's in Elizabeth City, NC, and then Hayes International before moving to Corpus Christy, TX in 1971 where he worked building Offshore oil drilling platforms. He lived in Katy, TX from 1975 to 1983, before moving to Magnolia, TX where he met the love of his life, Debbie Ann Rust, and swept her off her feet on the dance floor. On May 27, 1988, he and Debbie were married. In 1990 they moved to Bellville where they continued to make their home. Later, employed with Eliot Company in Houston for 17 years, he then worked with Stewart & Stevenson TV's in Sealy, where he retired in April, 2004. Wally was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandpa, uncle, and friend. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. He always had a smile and a joke to share if you had a minute. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed gardening and yard work, but his passions were hunting, fishing, and camping. He dearly loved his family and treasured the moments he was able to spend with them. Surviving are his beloved wife, Debbie Riddick; daughters, Angela Jennette McVady and husband Billy and Betty Michelle Shaw and husband John, all of Baytown, TX, Shanna-Ray Comer and husband Jeremy and Letha Marie Ashley and husband Chris, all of Magnolia, and Teresa Shook and husband William of Greenville, NC; grandchildren, Jackson, Brittney, Courtney, Caleb, Steven, Alyssa, Jessica, Tommy, Joey, Peyton, Megan, and Madison; a brother, Walter Raye Riddick of Chesapeake, VA; sisters, Shirley Marie Evans of Suffolk, VA and Carolyn Faye Pearce and husband Arthur of Chesapeake, and many extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Hope Elkins, a brother-in-law, McKoy Evans, and a grandson, Brandon Cooper. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 18th, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC, and will be officiated by the Rev. Terry Jones. Inurnment will follow in the Riddick Family Cemetery in the Sandy Cross community of Gates County. The family request that all flowers be omitted and contributions in his memory be made to one's favorite charity. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.