HOBBSVILLE, N.C. — Abram Lynnier “Bud” Peele Jr., 81, of 129 Muddy Cross Road, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie, North Carolina.

Mr. Peele was born in Beaufort County, North Carolina, on Feb. 28, 1935, and was the son of the late Abram L. Sr. and Ethel Mae Wilkerson Peele.

A retired pipefitter from Union Camp Corp. in Franklin, Virginia, he later worked for many years with his wife in her catering business.

A member of Sandy Cross Baptist Church, he was a former member of the Gates County Rescue Squad, and had served in the North Carolina National Guard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Aston; and by his sister, Linda Fulcher.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Merrill Wiley Peele; two sons, Abram Lynn Peele III and wife, Judith, of Pulaski, Virginia; and George D. Peele and wife, Terry, of Plymouth; his son-in-law, Thomas Aston of Suffolk, Virginia; his brother, Larry Peele of New Bern, North Carolina; six grandchildren, T.W., Kaitlin, Blair, Nicole, Amber and David; and four great-grandchildren, Natalie, Jayce, Sebastian and Adrian. Also surviving are his special girls, Paula, Sharen and Angela; his two boys, Herbert and Mike; and a special nephew, Jackie Wiley.

The memorial service will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Sandy Cross Baptist Church, and will be officiated by his former pastor, Dr. Jesse Croom. The private burial will follow in the church cemetery. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, North Carolina, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Flowers are welcomed, or contributions in his memory may be made to the Gates County Rescue Squad, 16 Hwy. 158 East, Gatesville, NC 27938, or to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org.

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