William "Bill" Hatcher Barnes

WILLIAM “BILL” HATCHER KINCHELOE

ROCKY MOUNT – William “Bill” Hatcher Kincheloe, 85, passed away on February 6, 2023. The oldest of seven children, he was born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC, graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High, and attended NC State University. He was married for 63 years to the former Martha “Marty” Frances Purvis, and they have 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
At NC State, Bill was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. While living in Raleigh, he worked for WRAL-FM as an on-air radio personality. Bill was passionate about his hobbies, from trains to fireworks to boating. His interest in boating inspired him to form his first business with his friend, Jimmy Davis, while he was still in high school. Kincheloe-Davis Motors designed and built racing boats, some of which he entered in a number of statewide races.
In 1961, Marty and Bill moved back to Rocky Mount, and he took over the management of Bulluck Furniture Co. The business was founded by his grandfather, W. A. Bulluck, in 1900. Bill was fascinated by a special service the store offered making custom lamps. By 1969, he had developed a small line of handcrafted lamps, which were photographed, taken on the road by a sales rep and WILDWOOD LAMPS was born. Bill traveled extensively developing his home furnishings business for over 50 years, forging friendships around the world.
Bill gave so much of himself to the community. He served as Chairman of the North Carolina Railroad Company, one of the greatest joys of his life; Chairman of the NC Ports Railway Commission; Chairman of the NC State Ports Authority Board; a member of the Governor’s Rail Passenger Task Force; a Trustee at NC Wesleyan College; a Board member of the Salvation Army; a Director for Planters Bank, and as an Executive Committee Director for Centura Bank; President of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce; President of the Rocky Mount YMCA; a member of the Rocky Mount Train Station Advisory Committee. Bill was a long-time member of Lakeside Baptist Church, which his grandfather, Dr. John W. Kincheloe, was instrumental in founding; The Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club and Benvenue Country Club.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Hatcher Byrd and Elizabeth Bulluck Kincheloe. He is survived by his wife, Martha “Marty” Purvis Kincheloe, daughters, Elizabeth Kincheloe Hedgepeth and Martha Kincheloe Barnes (Russ), both of Rocky Mount, NC and Susan Kincheloe Turner (Russell) of Thomasville, GA; grandchildren, Whit Barnes (Litsa), Robert Barnes (Lindsey), Catherine Hedgepeth Jones (Kevin), Will Hedgepeth, Garland Turner, Anne Scott Turner and Hill Turner; and great-grandchild Gray Jones.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Jody Wright and Rev. Elizabeth Edwards officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends and family on Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the home of Marty and Bill.
A heartfelt thanks to Lisa Bobbitt, Angie Sutton, and Fannie Powell for their kind and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill’s memory to the Salvation Army of Rocky Mount, 1000 Hunter Hill Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.