William Thomas Robinson, Sr. was born September 9, 1934 in Granville County NC and died June 15, 2022 in Oxford, NC. He shared a loving and humble life with his family which consisted of his parents, Samuel Robinson and Pauline Henderson Robinson, and his four sisters and three brothers, now deceased. He was educated in the Granville County Public School System. He worked odd jobs those days to earn money to buy his clothing and school supplies. William was always curious and interested in knowing what life was like outside of Granville County. So, in 1954 he gave up the humble life and enlisted in the United States Army.

His military life was indeed full of new and challenging experiences. He received numerous awards and medals. Among them was the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in Ground Operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam.  While serving he enjoyed the exploration of new cultures, meeting so many people and developing many new friendships, never forgetting his love of fishing, along with many years of traveling, working and exploring. He served twenty honorable years and retired in 1974 with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.

Upon his retirement from the military he returned to his beloved hometown of Oxford and continued his education at Vance-Granville Community College. There he earned Vocational Diplomas in Basic and Advanced Construction, Heating and Air Conditioning and Automotive Mechanics. He was employed by several different agencies, but his employment with Granville County serving as the Chief Animal Control Officer was the most enjoyable of his full-time employment from 1985-2000. He continued to work part-time with Animal Control until 2011. That allowed him the opportunity to begin his new hobbies of refinishing furniture and gardening, in addition to his other hobbies.

It was not commonly known that William had a strong interest in neighborhood and community affairs. That interest led him to participate in the filing of a class action law suit for discrimination of equal municipal services within the black community in Oxford. That case was filed December 19, 1980 resulting in the pavement of streets and the installation of larger water and sewer lines that had a positive result that was very beneficial to the city's residents, especially its black residents.

William's strong faith was evident in his devotion and service to Antioch Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and Vacation Bible School Director. Serving as Vacation Bible School Director showed his deep love and concern for the youth of the church. At his own expense he provided them with pizza parties each year and involved the youth in many other activities, including woodworking and arts and crafts. This aided them in their learning and their personal growth. His love of church always inspired him to fulfill not only the aforementioned offices, but anything he saw that needed to be done at the church.

He will be sorely missed and his memory will be cherished by his wife if forty-four years, Emily Russell Robinson; his son, William Thomas Robinson, Jr.; granddaughter, Aubrey Robinson; nieces Celeste Peterson, Denise Robinson, Joyce Davis and Vickie Hunt; step-daughter, Fatima Kittrell (Lynwood); his Antioch Baptist Church family; a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends; including his best friend and neighbor, Colonel White (Carolyn).

Memorial services will be conducted Thursday, June 23 at 12:00 pm at Wright Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive visitors thirty minutes prior to the services. Chapel services are limited to fifty attendees selected by the family.