Apex, North Carolina

William Clayton "Bill" Tolbert, age 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

Bill was born in Saltville, Virginia, on March 21, 1945, to the late Garnett and Ruby Tolbert. He enlisted in the Air Force after his 18th birthday and earned his GED while serving his country. During his tenure in the Air Force, he was stationed in both the United States and overseas, working as a mechanic on various machinery. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for a short time at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. Eventually, he began working for C&P Telephone, continuously being promoted and was an Engineering Assistant when he retired after 36 years.

He cherished time spent with family and enjoyed traveling when possible, including a cross-country trip with his wife Pat and journeys to Alaska and Hawaii.  Bill was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing and always wanted to share his passion with others. He spent many of his days on his bass boat on Smith Mountain Lake and Claytor Lake fishing with family and friends but also pulling grandchildren on a giant tube behind his boat. He loved to make people laugh and was always ready with a quick comeback or one-liner. Bill could fix almost anything, especially electronics and cars. He enjoyed selecting the vehicles he drove including Pontiacs, El Caminos and pickup trucks. Always curious, he learned to fly and obtained his pilot's license and taught himself how to play guitar, making up his own funny songs along the way. More than 20 years ago, Bill was baptized, and after that, never ate a meal without praying.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia Anne (Hurley) Tolbert, originally from Clinchburg/Meadowview, VA, his children, DeeDee Tolbert Kitts and husband Mark of Holly Springs, NC and Keith Tolbert and wife Christina of Julian, NC; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation Services will be conducted from 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville, VA. Graveside services will follow at Mahanaim United Methodist Church cemetery in Meadowview, VA at 2 pm, with Mark Kitts officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mahanaim United Methodist Church, 32042 Taos Ln, Meadowview, VA 24361.

Online condolences may be expressed at D.R. Henderson Funeral Home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Clayton "Bill" Tolbert.