William Ricky Brantley
April 8, 1950 – August 24, 2026
William Ricky Brantley, 76, of Middlesex, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Ricky was born in Nash County, NC, on April 8, 1950, a son of the late Rudolph Brantley and Claudia Virginia Massey Brantley. Affectionately known to close friends and family as “Hines,” he was a devoted member, deacon, choir member, and trustee of Union Hope Baptist Church. A true pillar of his community, he was a man of many talents with an irreplaceable wealth of knowledge. He was known for his remarkable ability to fix nearly anything, from a bicycle to an airplane. He graduated with honors from Wilson Tech, earning multiple degrees that he used throughout his life to continuously serve and uplift those around him.
In his personal life, Ricky cherished time spent farming, working with horses, and drawing daily inspiration from Billy Graham devotionals. Above all, his strong faith was at the center of his life. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith, service, wisdom and skill that will continue to live on in all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his sweetheart, Ann Carter; siblings, Trudy Bizzell (Lee), Penny Bissette (Danny), Rudy Brantley (Beverly); nephew and nieces, Daniel Bissette (Karen), Kathy Watson (Kevin), Kesha Howell (Freddy), great nephew and nieces, Luke Watson, Hannah Hayworth (Adam), Sarah Bryant (Nathan), and Joseph Smith; He is also survived by the Bullock family, the family of his late wife, Peggy, who remained a cherished part of his life; along with a lifelong farming friend, Nick Brantley.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Peggy Ann Ferguson Brantley.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Union Hope Baptist Church, 12712 NC Hwy 97, Zebulon, NC 27597. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends briefly following the graveside service and at other times, at the residence of his niece, Kesha Howell, 4371 Massey Road, Zebulon, NC 27597.
The family welcomes flowers or memorials donations may be made to the Union Hope Baptist Church, 12712 NC Hwy 97, Zebulon, NC 27597.
Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third Street, Wendell, NC 27591. www.stricklandfuneral.com
1 Comment
I am so sorry about the passing of Ricky. He was such a kind and friendly person. He is now in the arms of his Lord and Savior. He will be missed. I was so fortunate to have known such a wonderful and amazing person . RIP my friend.
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