Dr. William Gregory Buckley, 77, of Whispering Pines, died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at his home.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. today (Friday, May 2), at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. William L. Pitts officiating.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Wisconsin.

Dr. Buckley was born Sept. 5, 1930, in Racine, Wis. He was an Eagle Scout and also served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Marquette University Dental School in 1958, as a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society. He received a post-doctoral degree in orthodontics in 1966. Dr. Buckley practiced orthodontics in Racine for 30 years. He was a member of the Racine County Dental Society for 35 years, serving several terms as secretary and one term as president. Dr. Buckley was also a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 1391, and was past commander of Legion Post No. 76 in Racine. Dr. Buckley resided in Whispering Pines for the last 16 years. After moving to North Carolina, he became a member of American Legion Post No. 350, in Pinehurst.

As an Eagle Scout, Dr. Buckley taught his daughters conservation and environmental responsibility. He cared deeply for gardens, greenery and keeping his community free from litter. He was a past chairman of the Whispering Pines Garden Club and a volunteer Master Gardener of Moore County. Dr. Buckley also enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family and friends.

"Most importantly, Bill loved his family," says a family member.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Agnes; two daughters, Mary Ellen and Jean; a son-in-law, Dr. J. Michael Thompson; and a grandchild, Hailey O. Thompson.

Memorials may be sent to FirstHealth Hospice, 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374, or to the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, c/o Dr. Norman R. Drinkwater, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1400 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706.

Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines, is assisting the family.