Fredric Carson Wagstaff

Fredric Carson Wagstaff, 95, of Fuquay Varina, NC, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2023 at the Transitions LifeCare Hospice in Raleigh, NC, surrounded by his loving family and caring friends.

Fred was born September 22, 1927 in Harnett County, NC to Joseph Carson and Martha Mildred Johnson Wagstaff. He graduated from Fuquay Springs High School in 1944.

After High School he pursued his career in the tobacco industry as a professional ticket marker, a position that he loved and excelled in and in 1989 he earned the title of World Champion Ticket Marker and was awarded this honor in Danville, VA at the World Champion Auctioneering Contest. He worked the circuit of markets including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and Maryland. Fred also served in the Navy Reserve. In the off seasons of tobacco, he enjoyed many other talents including car salesman/dealer, mechanic/bodywork, carpenter, farmer and others. He was a man that could truly do anything he put his mind to. He learned responsibility very early in life and worked odd jobs before and during high school which enabled him to buy his first car at the age of 16. (Something he was always proud of). He was always a car enthusiast and loved auto racing. He actually co-owned his own race car which competed in many major racetracks in the Nascar Grand National Series, including Richmond, Martinsville, Darlington and the Daytona 500 in 1957 and 1958. His actual race car was sold in 1959 to a Hollywood producer and used in the movie “Thunder in Carolina” in 1960. He always had a love for sports, especially golf, fishing and baseball. In the mid-sixties he coached Little League baseball in Fuquay for 12 seasons. Later in life he enjoyed life at Bentwinds playing golf with his buddies and trips to the beach where he loved boating and fishing with family and friends. Over the last 5 years he also enjoyed spending time at Danny’s farm riding around in the golf cart and watching the animals. 

Fred was a devoted Christian and was a member at the Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church for over 70 years where he was a children’s Sunday school teacher for many years and a lifetime Deacon.

In 1949 he married the love of his life Betty Anne Conyers and the two were inseparable until her death in 2020. As a couple they worshiped Almighty God, loved their family, friends and their Country.

Fred is survived by his sons, Ric Wagstaff (Mark) of Herndon, VA. and Danny Wagstaff (Reni) of Fuquay Varina, NC., his brother Jimmy Wagstaff (Barbara) of Fuquay Varina, NC., sister Judy Mildred Knight of Charlotte, NC., sister-in-law Margaret Greif Wagstaff (Marge) of Winston Salem, NC., and many nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews. He was an amazing role model and was adored by his family. He was a loving and caring Husband, Father and Father-in-law. (He loved his Reni). He also loved his brothers and sister, nephews and nieces, and his many friends. He was quiet, kind, and generous. Never had a harsh word to say about anyone and was loved by everyone that ever had the privilege of knowing him.

He was predeceased by his Wife of 70 years - Betty Anne Conyers Wagstaff, his parents, his brother, Joseph Van Wagstaff and his brother-in-law, James Knight. 

The family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 PM Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in the Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church fellowship hall. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Fred’s family gives thanks to the staff of the Holly Springs UNC Hospital, Emerald Health and Rehabilitation Center and the caregivers at Transitions LifeCare Hospice of Raleigh, NC.

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