It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Billy Ray Maitland, 76, of Roper, who went to meet his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 14, 2025, with his loving wife, family and work family by his side.
Billy was born in Tyrrell County to the late Joseph Paul Maitland and Bernice Vanhorn Maitland and was preceded in death by his sister, Susan Maitland Grimsley and husband Don Franklin Grimsley; along with his nephew Bradley G. Grimsley, and brother, Terry Maitland.
Billy owned and operated Maitland Funeral Homes in Creswell and Plymouth and Azalea Memorial Gardens in Columbia along with his wife Sharon. He worked in the funeral business for 56 years and felt it a joy to be able to minister to the families in their time of loss. He considered the family's that he served as his extended family. His professionalism, his love and compassion will not be forgotten by those who were honored to have known him and by the many families he served over the years. He was a member of Sound Side Original Free Will Baptist Church and Past Master of Providence Lodge # 678 in Columbia.
He loved his wife beyond measure as she did him, his fur babies, Joe and Babe, his family, his community and his God. He always greeted you with that infectious smile and immediately started a new friendship.
He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Fort Eustis, Va., Fort Lee, VA. and Germany serving at the USA Memorial Affairs Activity, Europe as the Personal Effects Supervisor where he dealt with the receipt, processing, and shipment of the personal effects of deceased active military personnel. Because of his superior knowledge of the most difficult facets of the handling of personal effects and his willingness to work extra hours both on regular duty days and on his off-duty days he earned the complete respect and admiration of both his peers and superiors alike.
His family includes his loving and devoted wife of fifty-four years, Sharon Ward Maitland, along with his fur babies, Joe and Babe.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth. Burial will follow at Azalea Memorial Gardens in Columbia. Family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
