Paul William Mayfield

Paul William Mayfield, 58, of Camelot Dr. in Morganton died Thursday, May 13, 2010 at his residence following a four month battle with cancer. He was born December 3, 1951 in Spartanburg County, and was a son of Latha Greenway Mayfield of Landrum, SC, and the late Earl Ray Mayfield, Sr. Paul grew up in Landrum, SC, and was a graduate of Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN where he met his future wife, Pam. During the summer of 1972 and while a student at Tennessee Temple University, he served as an intern in the Washington, D.C. office of South Carolina Senator Ernest Hollings. Following graduation, Paul taught and coached a state championship soccer team at the high school at Tennessee Temple. He and Pam then moved to Burlington, NC where he was assistant principal and coach at Alamance Christian School where he also coached a state championship soccer team.The family moved to Morganton in 1978 where he served as the principal at Tabernacle Christian School for five years. He received his Basic Law Enforcement Training from Catawba Valley Community College. In 1980, Paul began working as a reserve officer with the Burke County Sheriff’s Department. In July of 1983, he became a fulltime officer and served during the administrations of Sheriff Jerry Richards, Ralph Johnson, and Richard Epley until 1999. He was a member and past officer of the Fellowship of Christian Law Enforcement Officers. In March of 2000, Paul began operating his own private police and security company, United Special Police and Security.Paul was a member of Heritage Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Deacons, church treasurer, and Sunday school teacher. Paul was an avid golfer and helped organize many local golf tournaments for area organizations. He was an active member and past officer of the Burke County Republican Party.In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Pam Webb Mayfield of the home; daughters, Kristy Mayfield of Nashville, TN and Tiffany Mayfield of Morganton; a brother, Ray Mayfield, Jr. and wife, Betty of Landrum; and a number of nieces and their families.Paul was preceded in death by his father, Ray Mayfield, Sr.; and a son, Jeremy Mayfield.Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 17, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Morganton with Rev. Dewayne Buchanan officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. At other times, the family will be at the residence, 204 Camelot Dr. in Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Baptist Church, PO Box 2801, Morganton, NC 28680.