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William ‘Billy’ Brown Fortiscue Jr., 67, spent most of his life on a shrimp boat named ‘Miss Becky’

William "Billy" Brown Fortiscue Jr.
William “Billy” Brown Fortiscue Jr.

William “Billy” Brown Fortiscue Jr., of Southport, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was 67.

Billy was born May 24, 1948, in Belhaven, son of the late William Brown Fortiscue and Delores Brown Fortiscue. He moved to Southport at a young age and grew up on the water and at the Yacht Basin. He spent most of his life working on shrimp boats. He and his brother-in-law owned and operated the shrimp boat “Miss Becky.”

Billy lived for the day, often saying “today will take care of itself and tomorrow hasn’t gotten here yet.” He loved his family and never met a stranger–he only met friends.

Surviving are his son, William Robert Fortiscue and wife Erin, of Rocky Point; daughters, Darlene Melvin and husband Todd, of Wilmington and Ami Thompson and husband Raymond, of Supply; sister, Becky Fortiscue Smith and husband Carlton, of Belhaven; and five grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Peacock–Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service. A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m., with the Rev. Gene Tomlinson officiating. Billy’s friends, Johnny Bellamy and Jerry Floyd, will serve as honorary pallbearers.

At Billy’s request, his remains will be scattered in the ocean from the shrimp boat “Josie Wales.”

Please leave online condolences for the family at Peacock – Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service.

To view the full list of Port City Daily obituaries, click here.

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