January 11, 2023, 80, Seven Springs –

March 10, 1942 – January 11, 2023

Our beloved, William “Bill” Percy Prentice, age 80, of Seven Springs, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly, but quietly, in his sleep on the morning of Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Bill was born on March 10, 1942, to Eva and Everett Prentice in Thornbury, Ontario, Canada. He was a self-taught entrepreneur and ventured into many occupations throughout his life, starting his career as a funeral director. He then decided to pursue an exciting career on an offshore drilling rig in the Georgian Bay and across Canada. As a beginner on the rig, he started out as a “Rough Neck”, a position that must have fit him perfectly! Over the years, however, Bill worked his way up to the position of “Tool Pusher”, the boss of the entire rig. This was the job Bill Prentice was most proud of.

Later Bill moved to Crystal Beach, Canada, where he met his late wife, Diane “DeDe” Prentice, and soon after their adventures began. They quickly realized they were a match made in heaven and they would spend the rest of their lives together. They dreamed of moving to an island, which came true when they moved to Kihei, Maui, got married (1985), and bought a house and a window-tinting business. They spent many years in Maui and then moved back to the mainland where they traveled the country in a motorhome. They eventually settled in Pink Hill, North Carolina after they bought Maxwell’s Mill fishing campground.

As a young man, Bill enjoyed skiing and driving fast cars. After he got married, camping became one of his favorite pastimes. He loved traveling with his wife and friends to various campgrounds for extended weekends. He was always the life of the party. He enjoyed spending time doing crossword puzzles, and he was known for hanging out on his golf cart and socializing with friends. Whenever surrounded by company, you could be sure he would seize the opportunity to crack a joke or two and tell a story to get you to laugh. Our Bill will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Diane, his stepson, Chan Maguire, his parents, Eva and Everett Prentice, and his three siblings, Eleanore Prentice, Blake Prentice, and Clive Prentice. He will forever be remembered and cherished by his stepdaughter, Lynn Barclay, his step-grandchildren Trevor Maguire, Jack Barclay, and Madyson Barclay and his sister, Jewell Hogg, and his many nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be held at Rouse Funeral Home in La Grange, North Carolina, on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 4 to 6 PM. The interment of ashes will be placed next to his beloved wife, DeDe at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.