Individual Details

Death

William “Bill” Frank Blalock, Jr., 87, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Atrium Health Stanly. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Bear Creek Primitive Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care of Albemarle from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM, prior to the service. Born October 21, 1937, in Stanly County, he was the son of the late William Frank Blalock, Sr. and Ruth Almond Blalock. He was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church and retired from Alcoa, where he worked faithfully for many years. Known to everyone as Bill, he was a strong-willed, hard-working man who lived life on his own terms. His family remembers him as stubborn yet loving, and always happiest when surrounded by the things and people he loved most. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping with his boys, and spending time outdoors—especially riding out each day just to look for deer. In his younger years, he enjoyed operating bulldozers and working the land, and in quieter moments, he liked tinkering with clocks or watching his favorite westerns featuring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Bill was a regular at Blue Bay, where he loved a good meal, and he adored his little dog, Barney. Picking up pecans and sharing them with friends and family was one of his favorite pastimes. In later years, he could often be found at his sons’ shop, sitting, visiting, and swapping stories—content just to be with the people he loved. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Hilda Furr Blalock, who passed away in 2014. Survivors include three sons: Doug Blalock (Kathy), Hoppy Blalock (Mary Lou), and Billy Blalock (Kimberly), all of Albemarle; a sister, Shirley Efird of Albemarle; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Elaine Gill and Suzie Morton. Bill’s life was a testament to hard work, family, and faith. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.