David Winbourn Tant

David Winbourn Tant, 87, of Lilesville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Richmond County Hospice Haven in Rockingham.

Born on January 31, 1939, in Wake County, North Carolina, David was the son of the late William John Tant and the late Sarah Jane White Tant. A graduate of Cary High School, he served in the United States Air Force, with most of his duty spent stationed in Puerto Rico. In 1966, he graduated from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol School and was assigned to Anson County, where he spent his entire career. He retired after 30 years of service and continued to look forward to the annual retiree dinners at the highway patrol school, attending them faithfully until his health no longer allowed.

Known for being tough yet fair, David earned both complaints and numerous commendations during his years with the patrol. He was a longtime member of the Albemarle Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he served as a deacon and on various committees. An avid golfer, he was a member of Twin Valley Country Club, now Twin Valley Golf Club, and enjoyed matches with friends at courses throughout the area. A jack of all trades, he took great pleasure in working in his yard, feeding and watching birds and fox squirrels, and creating meticulous oil paintings.

David will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Hildreth Tant; daughters Wendy Treadaway (Reid Hayes) of Monroe and Nancy Honeycutt (Scottie) of Lilesville; grandchildren Dr. Taylor Treadaway of Raleigh, Laci Treadaway of Locust, Rachel Watson of Rockingham, Brock Watson and Garrison Honeycutt, both of Lilesville; brother-in-law Charles Hildreth of Tennessee; and sister-in-law Barbara “BJ” Kiker (Paul) of Polkton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Lois Keith, Lucille Spence, Larue Kelly, Atlas Tant, Phillip Tant, Kathey Hair, and Thurman Tant.