Mr. William “ Big Daddy” Armstead

Mr. William Armstead of Edward, N.C. entered into eternal rest on May 2,2021, at his home surrounded by family.

William Earl Armstead was born on August 19, 1938, to the union of William Guy Tooley and Lydia Cooper in Scranton, NC. William was known to many as “Big Daddy”. He departed this life on May 2, 2021.

Big Daddy received his formal education in the Beaufort County School System in Edward, NC.

Big Daddy accepted Christ as his savior at an early age. 

Big Daddy was employed by Ford Motor Co. for a total of thirty-nine years where he stayed until he retired.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed working on cars, traveling the states, and he reveled in the fact that he was among the group who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also worked at the Apollo where he met a multitude of entertainment greats. Known as “Big Daddy”, he was acknowledged for working hard but he played harder. He basically loved and enjoyed life.

William was preceded in death by: his parents, William Guy Tooley and Lydia Cooper; his brothers: Walter, Roosevelt, James, Willie, Lee, Wilbert, and Luke; and his sisters: Flossie, Minnie, and Essie.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his children: Travana Quinn, Houston, TX, Cynthia Justice (William) Richmond, TX, Derry Morris, Norfolk, VA, Michael Morris (April) Lorain, OH, Jessica Hopkins, Fuquay Varina, NC, and NaTasha Armstead, Smithfield, NC; grandchildren: Paris Coffey, Taylor Quinn, Michael Morris, Shi-Quille Smallwood, Shi-Ann Smallwood, Travez Morris, La’Rohn Morris, Tyasia Hopkins, Jaden Hopkins, Anthony Hill, Jr., Jilisa Warren, Zuri Armstead, and Christopher Adams; great grandchildren: Rodney Thompson, Layson Jordan, and Rome Jordan; sisters, Maggie and Gloria McGowan (Bobby); brother, Robert Cooper (Brenda); brother-in-law, Connie Mackey; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. William “ Big Daddy” Armstead, please visit our floral store.