On May 23rd, 2017 William “Bill” Howard deBrito went to be with the Lord at the age of 95. He was born in Richmond, Virginia to William and Clara deBrito. Bill was a first generation American, his father and grandparents having immigrated to the United States from Portugal in the latter part of the 1800s. The elder de Britos owned a farm in the Alto (upper) Douro River region of Northern Portugal where they produced fine Port wine. Bill’s father “Pop” went into the grocery and meat market business as an adult in Richmond, Virginia and young Bill could often be seen pulling his wagon through his local neighborhood delivering groceries to their customers. His younger brother, Carter, often referred to him as the “scamp” of their family, always being mischievous in his younger years. Even though Bill once confided, that as a child, he wanted to be a candy salesman, he instead followed suit with “Pop” and went into the grocery industry. That vocation made him exempt from the war draft, but not feeling right about it he enlisted in the Army and rose to the rank of captain while serving in Japan and the Philippines, where he was involved in the Luzon Campaign of 1945. After returning from the war, he started a thirty plus year career with Colonial Stores in Atlanta and Raleigh. He also served with the Raleigh Housing Authority for 10 years.

Bill had three daughters with his first wife, Betty. After she passed away, he married Vivian and gained her three daughters. Bill and Vivian shared the last thirty-one plus years together and enjoyed traveling – here and abroad, dancing and reading the morning papers with a good cup of coffee. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his keen intelligence.

Bill was preceded in death by all four of his siblings: Clinton, Christina Phillips, Carter and Charles. He is survived by his faithful wife, Vivian. Also surviving are his daughters: Carol Penny of VA, Susan Wright of Raleigh and Beth Lohela and partner Rich Pletcher of Cary along with grandchildren: Ann Todd Sharman of VA, Kim Banton of VA, Christopher Wright of CA, Melissa Wright of Raleigh, and Matthew Wright of GA, as well as great grandchildren. His three step daughters surviving are: Nancy Wells and her husband Mike of Mebane, Kristine Haydon and her husband Dennie of WA and Barbara Pate of Raleigh, along with their five children and ten grandchildren. His nephews surviving him are: Dr. Phil DeBrito, DVM and his wife Ruth of NC (previously of Raleigh), Charles DeBrito and partner Carol Peck of NC and FL, Randy DeBrito of CA, as well as Bill’s niece Vicki Rosario and husband Felix of NM and their families.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 1 st at 11 am at Renaissance Funeral Home at 7615 Six Forks Road in Raleigh: www.rfhr.com. A reception will follow. Bill’s ashes will be interred in the columbarium at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens, 7601 Acc Blvd., Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army of Wake County, PO Box 27584, Raleigh, NC 27611, the VFW, Processing Center, PO Box 8958, Topeka, KS 66608-8958 or Transitions LifeCare of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.