William "Buddy" Gurganious

William "Buddy" Gurganious, 71, of Havelock, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at his home.

A memorial service to honor Buddy’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, December 9th at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City, officiated by Jim Taylor. The family will receive friends one hour prior. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

William, known to friends and family as Buddy, was born on August 27, 1952, in Morehead City, to the late Rasper and Dorothy Gurganious.

Buddy excelled in his career as the Fleet Management Director of Transportation for the NC State School System where he dedicated his skills to ensuring the smooth operation and efficiency of the state's transportation fleet. Buddy's ingenuity and desire to make a positive impact led him to create "Gus the Bus," a school bus safety program in New Hanover and Brunswick County. He personally engineered and built the bus, which became a staple in local parades, spreading awareness and educating communities about the importance of safety.

Buddy was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors in need. His infectious personality and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone was amazing. He loved telling stories and would happily share them with anyone willing to listen.

Family was of utmost importance to Buddy, and he found great joy in spending time with his loved ones. Sunday dinners were a cherished tradition, where Buddy would showcase his skills, serving up his famous collards and tasty ribs. These gatherings were filled with laughter, love, and memories that will be treasured forever.

Buddy approached every opportunity with a sharp mind and a relentless drive to succeed. With his keen ability to make a deal, he could transform a mere 10¢ into $10, which made him the happiest. His ability to negotiate and make deals was incredible.

From a young age, he had an intense love for cars and was a skilled mechanic. He could fix anything that came his way and was a mechanic to the core. An avid dog lover, Buddy formed strong bonds with his furry companions throughout the years. He also had a passion for gun collecting and enjoyed spending his time fishing.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his children, Latashua Halbrook and husband Bobby of Hubert and William Michael “Mike” Gurganious and wife Ayme of New Bern; sister, Dollie Henninger of Beaufort; granddaughter, Hannah Halbrook; several nieces and nephews; and numerous fur grandbabies.

In addition to his parents, Buddy was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah “Helen” Taylor; sister, Helen Jones; brother, Randy Gurganious; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Henninger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to O.W.L.S the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, 100 Wildlife Way, Newport North Carolina 28570

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.