William James “Bill” Banfield, age 96 of Forest City, died Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Hospice House.  He was born on March 16, 1928, in Mentor, Ohio and was a son of the late Frederick Charles Spencer Banfield and Hilda Maude Collins Banfield.  He worked in sales most of his career and retired in computers sales as a sales manager. 

Known as Bill to his family and friends, most of his life he was a member of the Little Church in the Vale in Gates Mills, Ohio and following a permanent move in 2016 to Rutherford County he attended Second Baptist Church in Rutherfordton. Bill was always one to be active in his church having served as a Sunday School Teacher, served on short term Mission Projects, and 19 International Mission Trips together with his wife after the age of 70. For several years he enjoyed announcing the Upward Basketball games at Second Baptist.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Ada Ruth Banfield in 2023, his son, William Paul Banfield in 2023, and his brothers, Percival and Harry Banfield.

Surviving are his two sons, David Banfield and wife Suanne of Michigan and Thomas Banfield and wife, Kathryn of Forest City, his daughter-in-law, Denise Banfield of Ohio; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren also survive.

A memorial service will be held at 2 o’clock on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Second Baptist Church in Rutherfordton, officiated by the Reverend Dr. Keith Stephenson and his son, David Banfield.  The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center of the church following the service.  Interment will be held later at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland, Ohio where he and his wife Ada will be laid to rest together.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the Second Baptist Church, (2nd Send), 191 Green Street, Rutherfordton, North Carolina 28139. 

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com