William James Peckham

Jamie died on Tuesday, at WakeMed in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I'd like to start at 34 years ago and say that I met the most gorgeous, beautiful man I had ever seen on the night of December 2nd. A lot of people don't believe in love at first sight, but I'm here to prove them wrong.

When I first met Jamie William Peckham, he had just retired from the fire patrol. He then took a job as a purchasing officer for Web Technical, a food environmental laboratory, where he very quickly became irreplaceable. Jamie had a way of helping people and was someone that people looked up to. Some of his vendors would stop by just to talk with him about their problems and how they should handle them.

After several years at Web Technical, we talked about opening an interior design studio. Along with Jamie's other gifts, he just had a flair and gift for beautiful things and talent for placement of such, so we opened Talk of the Town Interior Design in downtown Raleigh on Boylan Street. It quickly became one of the largest interior design studios in Raleigh.

Throughout the years we made many friends. Jamie just had a gift for listening to people. I am just amazed at how many people loved him and depended on him for guidance to help them weather the storms that they were going through. He was their strength. He also had an extreme compassion for animals. Jamie always just seemed to find beauty in everything.

He had a very solid foundation in life, which sometimes doesn’t work that well in today’s world.

Jamie had solid religious beliefs. He and I were members at Pullen Baptist Church for many years. After 18 years, we found ourselves desiring a smaller church. At this time, we joined Andrews Chapel. We found that Andrews Chapel had a small hometown feeling and we felt instantly welcomed. To us, it was like going home.

Jamie also loved a good martini, or a vodka on the rocks.

To sum up, William James Beckham was born an old soul, wise beyond his years, content with life. Compassionate, but not placating. Truly, he made everyone feel comfortable.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, located at 2115 Olive Branch Road in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Kathy Pearce will officiate.

He was survived by his lifetime partner David Webber.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the cemetery fund at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church, 6702 Leesville Road, Durham, North Carolina 27703

A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, North Carolina