Willie Earl "Pete" Averette, 90, passed away at his home Thursday, February 16th, after a short illness.

Pete was a lifelong resident of Granville County. He met the love of his life in Chincoteague, VA, while working in construction at the NASA Base on Wallops Island, VA. They married young and settled in Granville County. Soon God blessed them with four strong boys who helped work the farm until they graduated high school. Three of the boys married and built homes on the family farm. Farming was in his blood. In 1968, Pete won an award for "Top Feeder Pig Producer" in Granville County. He spent several years also working as a grader on the tobacco market.

In 1980, he decided to run for County Commissioner and won. He served in this capacity until 2010. During his service as commissioner, he served on the Kerr Tar Council of Government. In 1983, he helped start the KARTS program which is still in place today. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for KARTS until 2010.

Pete was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Lions Club and one of the founding members of the Lord Granville Agricultural Heritage Association.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m. officiated by Reverend David Herman and Reverend Timothy Price. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens.

Surviving is his wife of 70 years, best friend and love of his life, Eula T. Averette; son Tommy (Sandy); son Jerome (Norma), and Yvonda Mitchell (Young). He had 6 grandchildren; Travis Averette, Stacy Price (Timothy), Eric Averette (Heather), Niki Hielema (Jason), Lindsey Myers (Drew), Josh Averette (Allison). He had 17 great grandchildren; Lennox Averette, Lilly Averette, Maddie Brogden, Cody Brogden, Ava-Grace Price, Hunter Price, Claire Price, Cora Price, Avery Weld, Morgan Averette, Carter Averette, Ameila Hielema, Elly Hielema, Hudson Myers, Lyla Grace Myers, Truitt Averette and Arya Averette and two sisters, Sarah Mangum and Carolyn Overton. He is preceded in death by his father Russell Averette; his mother Lillie Lee Averette; brother Lenward "Punk" Averette; son Victor Ray Averette; son Willie T. Averette.

The family will receive friends Sunday, February 19, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Pallbearers for the service will be Travis Averette, Eric Averette, Josh Averette, Drew Myers, Jason Hielema, Timothy Price, Lennox Averette.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Creedmoor. Online condolences may be made at sossamonfuneralhome.com.