William “Bill” Hevener IV, born Sept. 11, 1941, died peacefully on March 31, 2018, in Suffolk. He is predeceased by father, William Hevener III; mother, Alma Simmons Hevener; and wife Veronica Hevener.

Bill is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lydia Duke Hevener; and children, William Hevener V (Ginny), Monica Eure (David), Eley Duke III (Nicole), and Kelly Drewnowski (Bartek).

Bill loved and enjoyed his seven grandchildren: Thomas and Sarah Hevener, Caroline and Gracie Finn Eure, Parker and Eley Duke IV and Austin Drewnowski.

He is also survived by his three very special cousins, Rolland Simmons (Marty), Nancy Waybright (Charles) and Jeanie Whitecotton (Larry).

Bill graduated from Virginia Tech in 1964 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was employed by General Electric and later retired from Weyerhauser Company, Plymouth, N.C. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, in Suffolk.

Bill made friends easily, and his infectious sense of humor always brought a smile to anyone he encountered. That sense of humor and upbeat, positive attitude helped him face the fight of his life as he bravely battled Parkinson’s disease. He loved life, his family, a good glass of wine and a good practical joke — not necessarily in that order on any given day.

His memorial service will be at Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, at noon on Friday, April 13, 2018, with a reception following the service. Burial is private. The family is being assisted by R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences may be offered at RWBakerFH.com.

Memorials may be made to his church or to The Parkinson Foundation designated to Stem Cell Research on line or mailed to Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.