June 11, 2024, 76, Goldsboro —

Charles McGhee (Charlie) Whitley, a native of Wayne County, passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center on June 11th, 2024. He was 76 years old.

As part of Charlie’s final wishes, a graveside service will be held at New Hope Friends Church Cemetery on Saturday, June 15th at 3:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Andrew Hise. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

During his life, Charlie worked very hard, and played hard. While this is a time of great sadness, we can take joy in the fact that Charlie lived a full, rich life, with lots of laughter, during his time with family and friends.

Charlie was born in Goldsboro on June 25th, 1947 to Clarence and Lillie Whitley. He was a graduate of New Hope High School and attended Guilford College.

In his early adult life, Charlie served for six years as a medic in the National Guard. During this time, a new hospital was built in Goldsboro. Charlie was part of the National Guard group that moved patients from the old hospital building on Ash Street to the new building on Wayne Memorial Drive.

During his early work years, Charlie became a Master Industrial Pipefitter. He worked on many complex projects in North Carolina and beyond. This work included serving as technical lead for the installation of sterile stainless-steel piping for medical systems at various healthcare facilities in the state, including Wayne Memorial Hospital.

In his later work years, Charlie used his pipefitting expertise to serve Wayne County and the surrounding area as a licensed plumber, building many strong industry relationships throughout the county during that time.

Charlie liked to hunt, and he loved to fish. He especially enjoyed being with his close circle of friends at their fishing “camp” on the Pungo River near Belhaven. He spent a lot of very happy time there in the later years of his life.

While Charlie’s life was lived to the fullest, he was also there for folks who needed help, in a world that can be tough at times. If Charlie thought a person needed help, or if someone came to him and needed something, he would make it happen.

While we are grieving now, we take solace in the words “For none of us liveth to himself,

and no man dieth to himself. For if we live, we live unto the Lord, and if we die, we die unto the Lord.

Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Charlie is survived by his nephew, James Wilford (Jack) Whitley Jr., his niece-in-law Marilyn Jordan Whitley, his great-niece Maris Jordan Whitley, his niece Phyllis Katherine Whitley, and many very close friends.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, by his nephew John Clarence Whitley, by his beloved son Charles McGhee (Chuck) Whitley II, and by his brother James Wilford (Jim) Whitley.

The family would like to sincerely thank the healthcare professionals at UNC Health-Wayne Memorial Hospital, Goldsboro Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, and Kitty Askins Hospice Center. In particular, the expertise, skill, and patience of the nursing professionals at each of these three facilities was so impressive it was humbling.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA, 30394, or online at www.lovetotherescue.org.

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

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