William Ronald Barnes

William Ronald Barnes, Sr., 77, of Rocky Mount, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 1, 2024. Born in Wilson, NC on February 12, 1947, he was the middle son of Stella and OJ Barnes. Ronald grew up in Rocky Mount, and was a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High. He was part of the elite group at Senior High during their multi-sport championship season in 1963. He loved those years and had many tales from that time. He entered East Carolina University where he studied for one year before the Vietnam War called upon him as it did so many other young men. Ronald spent four years serving our country in the Navy aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He married Pam McDonald in 1968. Upon his military discharge, he re-enrolled at ECU where they lived while he managed apartments and went to school. He stayed on the Dean’s list until graduating in 1973, and was very proud of his accomplishment. After graduation, Ronald and Pam moved to Rocky Mount, where he worked for Pilot Life Insurance and Signode Corporation for several years before taking a chance to become an entrepreneur. His uncle owned a dry cleaners in Wilson, where he worked during school breaks while in high school. From that experience, he had always wanted to work for himself in the dry cleaning business. In November 1979, Ronald and Pam opened Superior Dry Cleaners on Winstead Ave., which stayed in business until Ronald’s retirement and the sale of the business in 2014. Many people still stopped Ronald and said “there are no other cleaners like yours!” He had so many wonderful and loyal employees while he was in business. He built many friendships over the years with all of his wonderful customers and was thankful for each of them. Retirement didn’t last very long as Ronald became the chief errand runner for Tharrington’s Auto Works, which kept him busy for the next 10 years. No task was too big or too small. He loved to do things for others. That kept him going. He would always tell his family, “You are gonna miss me when I’m gone,” and then laugh! He is missed already. What a daily part of their life he was. As a Third Degree Master Mason and Shriner for 43 years, he served in a number of capacities in the Rocky Mount Shrine Club. He was Club President and helped manage the Shrine Club’s famous peanut production. He was part of the original kitchen crew. He worked the annual fish fry for many years until his health began to decline. He was a dedicated member and loved how the Shriners helped children in need. The family vacations can’t go without being mentioned. Ronald loved Disney World and planned on taking them each year–always booking a year in advance to get a good spot at the Polynesian hotel. He loved to talk about the people that saved money all year to go, and then would fuss when they got there instead of enjoying their time! That was one of his favorite stories. Did he have stories! If you were fortunate enough to know him then you have heard them, once or perhaps 100 times! Or you might have heard him whistling, a true Barnes trait. The love of his family was immeasurable. Ronald loved to cook for others. He was a family man and he was so proud of each member of his family. Ronald was always there for his grandchildren. Ronald (Papa) and Kyle had years of afternoon fun at the cleaners and as Kyle got older they enjoyed many pranks with each other at the shop. He took Dalton to school everyday and most days went back with lunch. Special trips to Chick-fil-A or Central Cafe were nothing, if it was for Dalton. His Ford Explorer was the school bus and he and Dalton had many laughs in that car! What a great dad, grandfather, brother and uncle he was to all of his family. It can’t go without mentioning his daily chats of solving the world’s problems with his friends at Hardees or Saturday morning breakfast with friends at Smith’s. These were highlights for him. The family would like to thank Sean Epps for his sincere care and help during his time of sickness. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Barnes Tharrington (Scott); son, Ron Barnes Jr. (Bill); grandsons, Kyle Tharrington (Carol) and Dalton Tharrington (Logan Cary), and great-grandson, Spencer Tharrington; former wife Pam Jones; brother, Russ Barnes (Martha) and, nephews Whit Barnes (Litsa) and Robert Barnes (Lindsey). He was predeceased by his parents, older brother, Dennis Barnes and grandson, Spencer Dalton Tharrington. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 2:00pm at West Haven Presbyterian Church, 1001 West Haven Blvd. in Rocky Mount. Visitation will follow in the Rinehart Fellowship Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ronald Barnes to the Rocky Mount Shrine Club, 320 Airport Rd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804

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William Ronald Barnes

February 12, 1947 - April 1, 2024