William Jay Derby

Goldsboro, NC -- Mr. William Jay (Jake) Derby died at Wayne Memorial Hospital on Sunday September 29, 2002. He was a native of Tryon, North Carolina and the son of the late Dr. Jay Elton Derby and Cleo Funk Derby.

He came to Goldsboro in 1949 as manager of Pate Dawson Produce Co. and later Pate Derby Co. in Fayetteville, N. C. During his 53 years in Goldsboro, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of Deacons. He attended the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina and following World War II, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. His time during World War II was with the 12th Air Force serving in the North African and Italian theaters on a B-25 Bomber.

Jake was active in the community of Goldsboro serving on the former East Coast Savings & Loan Board of Directors. He was a Rotarian and a great supporter of Boy Scouting, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth. In his retirement, Jake was an avid boater and sailor and spent a great deal of time on the coast of North Carolina.

In business, he was active in the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, serving as president of the North Carolina branch in 1962 and on the National Board of the Association for 3 years.

He is survived by his wife, Hope Schilletter Derby; three children and spouses, Jay and Anna Derby of Raleigh, Ellen and Jack Best and Susan and Wilson Stackhouse of Goldsboro. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Hope Derby Carmichael and husband Randy of Raleigh, Jay Derby III and wife Susan of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Mary Hope Best, Munroe Best and wife Angie of Goldsboro, Elizabeth and Katherine Stackhouse of Raleigh, Susan Stackhouse and Eleanor Scott Best; two great-grandchildren; and sixteen nieces and nephews; and his sister, Mariel Derby Runkle of Fayetteville.

A memorial service will be held, after a private burial, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday October 1, at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. William Hufham officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the memorial hall and at other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1101 East Ash St., Goldsboro, N. C. 27530,

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.