WAKE FOREST —Wheeler Seth “Buddy” Gower, 63, died Thursday, March 1, 2012. A memorial service will be held at Feggins Funeral Service in Wake Forest. For funeral service details, call (919) 556-1019.

He was born in Kinston, the son of Betty Reynolds Gower and the late Hollon Earl Gower. He served in the U. S. Marines and was a Vietnam veteran, where he received the Purple Heart medal. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

Surviving: wife, Willie Mae Kearney; sons, David Gower of Indiana, Hollon Phillip Gower (Amanda) of Richlands and Seth Gower of Kinston; stepson, Shawn Kearney of Franklinton; sister, Bebe Way of Prosperity, S.C.; half brothers, Bennie and Bobby Gower of Kinston; and five grandchildren.