William M. Hartsfield "June Rabbit" Jr.

Published in The News & Observer on September 13, 2009

William McKinley "June Rabbit" Hartsfield, Jr., hit a Heavenly Home Run on September 9, 2009 and is now running the bases, swinging his bat, and tipping his cap with the angels, saints, and doves in Gods Glorious Kingdom above.

In 1963, William was drafted and played for the farm team The Baltimore Orioles.

He is survived by a wife, Emily Marie Byrd Hartsfield; a daughter, MeKeisha S. French (Sebastian) of Reynoldsburg, OH; a son, Christopher Hartsfield of Hertford; two grandchildren; sisters-in law, Mrs. Melba Little of Raleigh, Mrs. Delores Smith of Trevose, PA; brother-in-law, Charlie Simmons of Raleigh.

Family visitation will be held 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Mount Peace Baptist Church, 1601 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27610.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to "Adopt A Student Program", Shaw University, 118 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Arrangements entrusted to Haywood Funeral Home, Raleigh, NC, (919) 832-2835.