Billy Gaither Midgette Sr., 79, of Manns Harbor, died June 18, 2019, at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville.

A native of East Lake, he was born October 9, 1939, to the late Lucy Bratton Midgette Gibbs and Claude Gaither Midgette.

Billy was an avid waterman, running boats over the years from Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Willie R. Etheridge Seafood Company, as well as his personal boat as a crabber. He was lovingly referred to as Capt. Pelican, Gray Beard and Pops. In 1985, he achieved Oregon Inlet Fishing Center’s Captain of the Year and caught a record blue marlin of 957 lbs. Although he retired for several years in his late sixties, idle time was not desired for Capt. Midgette and he started back to work with his friends at Hatchell Concrete where he remained working full-time until his passing.

Billy is survived by wife Phyllis Ann Heans Midgette; daughters Jennifer Ann Midgette (Shepherd Lane) of Raleigh and Cheryl Ann Evans (Philip) of Florida; sons Billy Gaither Midgette Jr. (Amy) of Wanchese and Timothy David Steele (Cindy) of Georgia; grandchildren Taylor Steele, Berrach Rogers, Hannah Midgette, Rachel Midgette, Kara Sellers, Katherine Sellers and Derik Sellers; sister-in-law Susan Irvine Midgette and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by stepfather William F. Gibbs; stepson Dirk Ashley Sellers; and brother Claude Henderson Midgette.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on June 26 at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo with Rev. Jerald Craddock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Outer Banks Food for Thought, PO Box 1167, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 or online at www.foodforthoughtobx.org.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

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