PRINCETON — William R. Buchanan, 78, of Princeton passed away on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton.

Born Dec. 5, 1933, in Ladd to Robert and Elizabeth (Bird) Buchanan, he married Shirley Piper April 2, 1962, in Spring Lake, N.C.

Mr. Buchanan graduated from Princeton High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1973 with the Rangers Special Forces. He retired with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He then worked at Dental Craft Laboratories in Princeton, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the American Legion, loved dogs and enjoyed gardening.