William Harvey Allen, 74, passed away peacefully at his home, Aug. 20, 2019, after a valiant fight with Parkinson’s Disease. Will was a graduate of J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC., where he was a State Champion in Track. He received a track scholarship and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a four-year letterman in track and played on the football team for his beloved Carolina Tar Heels. He proudly volunteered to serve his country in Vietnam, and became a green beret with the US Army Special Forces. He worked for Dr Pepper/Cadbury Schweppes for many years, before starting his own company. Will was an avid golfer, master chef and loved entertaining friends and family. He was quick with a joke, never met a stranger and truly enjoyed life to the fullest. To know him was to love him.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, William Reagan Allen, and his parents Howard and Lillian Allen. He leaves to cherish his memory, his best friend and beloved wife, Tracy Whitaker Allen; his sisters, Barbara (Michael) Miller of Williamsburg, VA and Carolyn (Bobby) Tew of Salemburg, NC; one brother, Charles (Tracey) Allen of Greenville, NC; his sisters-in-law, Mary Gwen Whitaker, Alisa (Howard) Warner; and brothers-in- law, Whit (Rebecca) Whitaker and Bob (Jen) Whitaker all of Tennessee. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive, as well as two special companions, whom he adored, Mickey and Annie.

Graveside services for family and friends will be held at Lone Oak Cemetery, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation; 200 Southeast 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with local arrangements.