W.A. Bissette

William Arthur Bissette, “WA”, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 5, 2021.

WA was born in Goldsboro, NC on August 22, 1938 to the late Arthur Jafe Bissette and Ethel Evans

Bissette. In 1960, he graduated from NC State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He

married local girl, Mary Ann Wilson on October 8, 1960. After a brief job in Augusta, GA they returned to

Fayetteville where he began his career at Highland Lumber Co., Inc. in 1963. In 1984, he purchased

Highland Lumber Co., Inc from the remaining members of the Wilson family. The business was

transitioned in 2017, where the retail lumber facility was closed and now operates as commercial

warehouse space. Upon his retirement from Highland Lumber Co, Inc., in 2009, he continued his

partnership with Michael Green in BG Properties, LLC.

WA was very active in the community and in organizations related to the building supply industry. He

served on many boards locally and out of state, including Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation

(LMC) and 28 years on the Board of Directors for Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company

(PLM). On both boards, he served numerous years as the chairman of their Finance Committees. His

commitment to His Lord led him to serve as an elder at Church of the Open Door and participate as a

member of the Men’s Bible Study Fellowship in Apex.

WA was preceded in death by his parents (listed above) and his grandson, Jacob C Greene. He is

survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann; daughter, Lynne Greene of Fayetteville; son, David Bissette

of the home; granddaughter, Krystle Greene of New York City; great grandson Jacob Cole Greene of

Biloxi, Mississippi; two sisters, Margaret Bissette Keller (Roy Keller) of Swansboro and Alpha Vinson of

Greenville, NC and many nieces and nephews. He truly loved his family and all of his golfing buddies held

a special place in his heart.

A graveside service will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 11:00 am.

Contributions in memory of his life may be made to Church of the Open Door, 4445 Cliffdale Road,

Fayetteville, NC 28314 or a local charity of your choice. Some of his favorites were: Fayetteville Urban

Ministry, The Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Salvation Army, Cape Fear Botanical Garden

and Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED).

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.