William "Bill" Eugene Faust

With a heavy heart, Bill Faust of Warsaw, NC passed away on July 8, 2023 at his home surrounded by friends and family.  Born and raised in La Grange, NC, he was one of 6 children of the late Edna and Fred Rouse.
He worked at New River Nursery in Jacksonville for 11 years until he met Mary “Tina” Bland Jones from Bland’s BBQ on his many trips to Warsaw Floral Co.  With his two sons, Donny and Bill Jr and her two sons, Wayne and Doug and the promise of “going out every day after lunch with his dogs”, they married on June 25, 1965.  They later had a daughter, Cindy.  Bill opened his own nursery next to the restaurant in which he specialized in rose gardens. If you drive by a rose garden in Duplin County, it was most likely created by Faust Nursery.

Bill was a Scout Master for 11 years for Troop 20. His proudest accomplishment is helping 52 boys obtain their Eagle Scout status. He also led these scouts on 100-mile pilgrimages to Bath and Halifax. Because of his scouting achievements, he earned the Silver Beaver award.
He was an avid outdoorsman with quail, dove, and pheasant hunting. He was a judge in the National Wild Food Cooking Contest for 25 years which led him to be in the Wild Food Hall of Fame in Parkersburg, VA.  He helped establish the North Carolina Wild Food Weekends which has been going on for over 45 years. He was famous for his earthworm cake and loved the reactions of any new unsuspecting victims.  He also attended the Wild Flower Pilgrimage for 40 years at Blackwater Falls, VA. Bill was the President of the Duplin County Gun Club for 25 years where he hosted the Eastern Carolina Championship Bird Dog Trials.  His most famous dog was Mac who won the Eastern Carolina Championship.
If you didn’t know how to speak “dog”, “flowers”, “hunting” or his various interest, then he didn’t have too much to say. When bringing home friends, they were always warned that I hope you like hugs. Bill loved to hug a woman.  He always said he thought it helped brighten their day.  I know it did his.  His philosophy on life was “10 hugs a day and learn something new”.

He was preceded in death by his spouse Mary Grey Bland, sons William Eugene Faust and Robert Wayne Jones.  He is survived by sons Donald Wayne Faust, William Douglas Jones and wife Paulette, Tony Randal Faust and fiancé Lynn, Cynthia Diane Faust and wife Katherine and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. The greatest thanks to special friends Carolyn Quinn and Dr. Corazon Ngo who took on the primary role of caring for him after his automobile accident and during this journey as well. Special thanks to his granddaughter Buffie Niebauer Barnett who also helped with caregiving during this time.  Many thanks to ECU Hospice for your professionalism and compassion. Many thanks to the community of Warsaw and the many friends who he has touched with his generosity and kindness.
Visitation will be held at James Kenan High School gymnasium on Tues, July 11, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 am with a service at the gym from 11:00-12:00 with graveside at Devotional Gardens following.  Another visitation will be held at Bland’s BBQ that afternoon from 4-8pm. 
In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or consider a donation to your local scout troop in his honor.

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