William “Bill” Arthur Ours Jr., 81, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. He was born on February 10, 1939, in Syracuse, N.Y., and was the son of the late William Ours Sr. and Virginia Knight Gardner, and his stepparents Hollis Ours and Robert Gardner.

William enjoyed golfing, fishing, baseball, camping by a lake, and participating in coin club meetings. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was an excellent cook, and a devoted husband and father. William and his wife served as foster parents over many years to almost 50 children. He stepped willingly into the role of a father to many children who did not have a father, one of whom they adopted as their own. Years later, after hearing specifically of infant girls from India in need of a loving home, they again adopted another daughter.

William joined the United States Army in 1957 and served his country proudly until 1963. After which, he married his wife, Jeanette Ours. They have enjoyed 55 years of adventure. William graduated from Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, while working full time to support his family. He worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for 30 years.

For 28 years William was a member of Buckley Road Baptist Church in Liverpool, N.Y. He was one of the two original church planters and served as the church treasurer. Later he served as a deacon in the church. After moving to North Carolina, he became a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as the president of his Sunday School class.

William Ours Jr. is survived by his wife, Jeannette Lehman Ours; his four children and their spouses, Dr. Lisa O. Souther (Brian K. Souther), Dr. Alan R. Ours (Susanne B. Ours), Tera L. McKendree (Dwain McKendree), and Beth A. Ours; and his nine grandchildren; Ashley S. Hicks, Deanna C. Souther, Keri S. Souther, Alexander S. Ours, Jared B. Souther, Timothy A. Ours, William R. Ours, Kurrine A. Esperon, and Andre C. Esperson, and his two great grandchildren; Reagan S. Hicks and Aurora R. Hicks.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. The funeral service honoring William’s life will be held on Friday, June 19, 2020, at Western Avenue Baptist Church at 11am. Burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the Gideon’s International.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.