Mr. William Murphy (Bill) Joyner

Mr. William Murphy (Bill) Joyner, Age 90, formerly of North Carolina passed on Monday, July 15, 2024 at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.

William Murphy (Bill) Joyner transitioned to his heavenly home on July 15, 2024.

Born to David and Essie Joyner on September 19,1933, in Lenior County, North Carolina, Bill grew up in LaGrange and Goldsboro, North Carolina. Later moving with the family to Virginia, he was a star football player at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. After graduating, he received a football scholarship to attend South Carolina State University where he was a member of its championship football teams. Bill's matriculation at South Carolina State University began in 1952, but was interrupted in 1956 when he was drafted into the United States Army where he served honorably from 1956 to 1958. Years later, Bill returned to South Carolina State University to complete his degree and officially graduated with the Class of 1974.

A proud and active lifelong member of the South Carolina State University (Bulldogs) Alumni Association, Bill loved the university, the athletics program and supported it in person and in spirit. He was a dedicated and committed member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Bill had a distinguished career as an Archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration and was one of first African Americans to be engaged in that profession on Capital Hill. During his governmental career, he was a Chief Archivist in establishing and building the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. As an archivist, he also worked directly with collecting and maintaining Richard M. Nixon and Lyndon Baines Johnson presidential materials. Bill received several awards for outstanding service and commendable achievements as an archivist during his career. While living in Austin with the LBJ Presidential Library, Bill served on the Executive Board of the Society of Southwest Archivists (SSA).

Bill is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Joyner Lewis, his nephews: Dr. Theodore Lewis, Elgin (Valerie) Lewis and Darryl (Towanda) Lewis. He leaves many loving family members including his grand-nieces, grand-nephews and great grand-nieces and nephews and a host of other family members and life-long friends to cherish his legacy and memories.

A Public Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. in the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 209 South Carey Street, La Grange, North Carolina 28551.    

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 209 South Carey Street, La Grange, North Carolina 28551.  Dr. Michael A. Johnson will officiate.

Following the Memorial Celebration of Life Service, the family members and friends are invited to join the family in the Ebenezer's Fellowship Hall for the repast.

At a later date, the Cremains Interment or Burial will be conducted when the weather conditions are improved in the La Grange Cemetery, 295 West Railroad Street, La Grange, North Carolina 28551.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you cherish Bill’s memory by donating to the American Diabetes Association in the name of William Murphy (Bill) Joyner.

https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift?form=FUNGGYMVQKV

Cards, Love-Grams and Condolences may be faxed to Britt Funeral Home and Cremation Service at 252-566-5604 or posted on line at www.lagrangefuneralservice.com or call the office at 252-566-5603.

Professional services, of love and care, are entrusted to:  Britt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, LLC in La Grange, North Carolina.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. William Murphy (Bill) Joyner, please visit our floral store.