Burnice Joseph “B.J.” Causey, Sr. met his bride at the Shallotte Skating Rink, married her June 27, 1964, at Bethel Methodist Church, Bolivia and held her hand through sickness and in health, literally until death.
After a battle against lung cancer, Mr. Causey died Feb. 3, 2014, at the home he built on Village Point Road.
As a young boy, the fifth of seven children, he stitched soles in his father’s various shoe shops in Anderson, S.C. and Shallotte. Like all his siblings, he walked to Jennies Branch Baptist Church, led by his mother, and was baptized at the Brick Landing Fish Camp.
A welder and dredge boater for many years, Mr. Causey was licensed Nov. 29, 1972, by the U.S. Coast Guard to navigate vessels up to 15 tons and ferried crew constructing the 2nd Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, S.C. After years of drilling piling for beach cottages, he built one of the first portable toilet rental companies in Brunswick County. His humble spirit earned him the respect of neighbors and affection of friends from “hot dog” grills far and wide.
He was born Oct. 2, 1940, in Little River, S.C. and was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Bennett Causey and Kermit Leo Causey, of Shallotte; father-in-law, Clyde Galloway, of Bolivia; brother, Douglas Leo Causey, of Shallotte; sisters, Reba Cause Platt and Emma Neil Causey Hewett, both of Florida; and nephew, Justin Timothy Hughes, of Ash.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Eloise Pierce Causey, of Shallotte; son, Burnice “Joey” Joseph Causey, Jr. and wife, Lisa Finley Causey, of Leland; daughter, April Joy Causey Trull and husband, Steven Mark Trull, of Bolivia; grandchildren, Nicholas Ian Causey, Carleigh Noelle Causey, Christopher Dale Evans and Patrick Vaile Evans; brothers, Robert Frank Causey and wife, Lena Mae Causey and Willard Lonnie Causey and wife, Lula Mae Causey, both of Shallotte; sister, Verona Causey Hughes, of Ash; mother-in-law, Aileen Evans Pierce Galloway; brothers-in-law, Clyde Alan Galloway, of Raleigh, James L. “Pee Wee” Hewett, of Florida and Franklin Earl Galloway, of Bolivia; sister-in-law, Marilyn Causey, of Shallotte; nephews, Timothy Roy Hughes, Robert Eugene Causey, Kermit Alton “Buddy” Causey, Dexter Allen Hewett and Willard Lonnie Causey, Jr.; and nieces, Sheila Renee Platt Summersgill, Dell Marie Causey Pittman, Diana Lynn Causey Carpenter, Eva Yvonne Causey King, Jamie Mae Hewett Ramsey, Pamela Dee Hewett and Amy Michele Hughes.
The family will celebrate Mr. Causey’s life by receiving friends from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at White Funeral Service, 3660 Express Drive, Shallotte. The Rev. Anthony Clemmons of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Bolivia will officiate a private family burial service to honor God.
In lieu of flowers consider donating to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, NC 29422.
You may offer online condolences at www.shallottefunerals.com.
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