John Willard James

Mr. John Willard James, 91, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026 at his home in Rougemont.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6, at the Little River Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1 until 2 p.m., at Walker’s Funeral Home in Hillsborough.

Mr. James was born in Orange County, North Carolina, on August 3, 1935, the son of the late Lester Lacy James and Annie Wagner James. He grew up in the Litle River Community and was a member of Little River Presbyterian Church for many years. Following high school graduation, he went on to serve in the US Army and then enjoyed a career as a switchman with GTE with over 25 years’ service. In 1973, he married Anita Parrish and they recently celebrated their fifty-third wedding anniversary.

Surviving are his wife, Anita, of the home; sons Michael R. James of Hurdle Mills, and Jeffrey A. James of Wendell, NC; grandchildren Wyatt James and Charlotte James; and two sisters Annie Lou Wagoner and Evelyn J. Winn.

Walker’s Funeral Home in Hillsborough is serving the James family.