Horace Goff

Horace Goff, age 99, passed away peacefully at his home on September 8, 2026, following a short period of declining health and just three months short of the century mark.

Visitation, Saturday, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM at Wilson Memorial Service. Graveside Service, Saturday, 1:00 PM at Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount.

Horace was born December 1, 1926, in Edgecombe County, NC, to the late James Mark Goff and Queen Ruby Powell Goff. Horace was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Thelma Virginia Odom Goff, and his sisters, Sally Goff Schurrer and Betty Lou Goff Denton.

Upon returning home from his military service, his first job was working alongside his father in the general grocery store his father had purchased, which helped him transition, naming it J.M. Goff and Son on Washington Street in Rocky Mount. This early experience in store operations laid the foundation for his own long and successful career in industrial supply, where he worked with Crane Company, NC Supply, and Moore’s Building Supply in Rocky Mount before eventually joining Ihrie Supply in Wilson. He possessed a remarkable mind for details; on any given day, he could tell you the name of any related part and exactly where it was manufactured. He never forgot a fact and was legendary for calling out answers to trivia questions while his family played games nearby.

After graduating from West Edgecombe High School, Horace was accepted into the Army Air Corps with the hopes of becoming a pilot. However, as World War II was drawing to a close, the military scaled back its pilot training programs, and he was instead trained in advanced electronics for the B-29 Superfortress gun turret systems. As the war came to end, the training school closed, and he was shipped to Manila in the Philippines, deployed to Biak Island and Papua New Guinea to work on decommissioning equipment, and eventually returned to Manila before heading home. Years later, Horace still spoke fondly of his fellow Army Air Corpsmen and the Australian service members who served alongside him. His vital firsthand history was permanently preserved in February 2026, when historian Chandler Stark from The National WWII Museum traveled to Wilson to record a feature video of Horace sharing his military story. He is also honored with a commemorative brick on the museum's campus in New Orleans.

He never lost his love for airplanes, helicopters, and large military equipment, often studying them in his extensive reference-book collection. His passion came full circle in later years; at age 97, he visited the historic B-29 Superfortress at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, and at age 99, he was thrilled to visit and stand right alongside another B-29 at the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport. A man of immense vitality, he even delighted his family by attending a baseball game at the newly built Warbird Stadium in Wilson on August 19, 2026.

For 55 years, from 1971 until his passing, Horace was an active member of the Wilson Evening Optimist Club, notably serving a term as the District Secretary-Treasurer for the state of North Carolina from 1982 to 1983. In recognition of his service, he was presented with the distinguished Walter Armantrout Fellowship by the club in March 2025. He was a highly active, dedicated lifetime member of the American Legion Post 13, where he served in the rifle squad. A proud moment for Horace was at age 97, when he rode in the American Legion Jeep through the Wilson Christmas parade. He also served on the Wilson County Fair Board and the local Committee on Patriotism. A man of faith, Horace was an ordained Elder at Second Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount and sang for many years in the church choir.

He especially enjoyed spending time with his family on their annual beach trip, with the bonus of watching the V-22 Osprey and other military aircraft passing overhead.

Horace was so very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, all of whom brought immense joy to his life. He is survived by his daughters, Ginny Hodges (David) of Rocky Mount, Robin Roper (Larry) of Wake Forest, Kim Griffin (W.E.) of Raleigh, and Sharon Goff of Youngsville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Anna H. Richardson, Powell Roper(Amanda), Bailey Griffin (Alexandra), and Darby Griffin; his great-granddaughter, Taylor Richardson; and his sisters, Amaryllis Dawes of Rocky Mount and Faye Harper of Salisbury. He leaves behind his brothers-in-law, Ikey Denton and Ed Harper; his sisters-in-law, Lynn Odom and Betty Odom; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and a special circle of surviving first cousins, including cousin Julian Goff. Horace will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family extends their deepest appreciation to Navaneetha K. Sheshadri, MD, for his dedicated, compassionate care and support throughout the years.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson, NC 27895; the Wilson Evening Optimist Club, 3216 Edinburgh Drive, Wilson, NC 27896; or American Legion Post 13, 2035 US-301, Wilson, NC 27893.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com