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By Charlotte Smith

The week started with a significant loss for Bladen County. Billy Ray Pait, Sr., an outstanding Christian example, community leader, wise elder, and treasured family man, passed away on Sunday at the age of 83.

“He led the way,” Bladen County Manager Greg Martin said, “Some people talk the talk, but he walked the walk.”

According to his obituary, Mr. Pait served in the Army National Guard from 1954 to 1956 and then the United States Navy from 1957 until 1963. He continued to serve his community in many different ways. He served as a Commissioner on the Bladen County Board of Commissioners for 24 years. He also served on numerous advisory boards over the years and was dedicated to serving his church as well.

County Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson worked a long time with Mr. Pait. He said, “Billy Ray Pait was a good Christian man.”

Community Christian Academy School Board member, Community Baptist Church Treasurer, Choir Leader for 50 plus years, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Sunday School Superintendent, are some of Mr. Pait’s titles with his church affiliation.

“He took pride in working hard, in his businesses, and serving Bladen County citizens,” Mr. Martin added, “I respected and admired Mr. Pait. He was a fine man who loved his family.”

He enjoyed working with his family and was the Manager at Pait Real Estate Inc. from 1973 until 2011, and he also was the Foreman for Pait’s Construction and Owner of Pait Landscaping.

Staying involved in his community is something Mr. Pait was dedicated to doing. In 2016 he won the prestigious L. E. McLaughlin and Bob Gentry Award for Regional Leadership. In the same year, he also won the North Carolina Governor’s highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for making a significant impact in the state. Mr. Pait continued to promote his community throughout the years and even cut the ribbon in 2020 for the Elizabethtown Small Business Incubator.

Commissioner Peterson said, “Billy Ray was a fair and honest man who always kept the best interests of the citizens of Bladen County first. Billy Ray will truly be missed by all of us. I send condolences to his family and friends.”

Mr. Pait’s family is a testament to his legacy and his accomplishments.

Mr. Pait is survived by his wife, Emma Jean Brisson Pait; children, Billy Ray Pait Jr. and wife Angela, Camille Pait Villagomez, David Nelson Pait, and wife Elneta, and Andrew McLean Pait and wife Angela; 13 grandchildren, Victoria Grace Pait, Charity Noel Pait, Alise Nicole Pait, Lincoln Pait Villagomez, Billy Ray McLean Pait III, Andrew McLean Pait Jr., Madison Shiann Pait, Isaac Anthony Mendoza, Maeghan Ritchie, Gabrielle Kathryn Pait, Lydia Louise Villagomez, Georgia Grace Pait, and Aaron Luke Pait. He also leaves behind three siblings, Levy Pait, Jane Grey Pait, and Betty Sue Cummings.

There are expected to be over 250 people at Mr. Pait’s funeral scheduled for Thursday, March 17, at 1 pm at Community Baptist Church in Bladenboro with Bill Pait Jr. (son), Rev. Joshua Sykes, and Rev. Robert Ohlmann officiating.

Read Mr. Pait’s obituary on the Bladen Funeral Home site linked here: https://www.bladenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Billy-PaitSr