David Warren Hepler

Mr. David Warren Hepler, age 74, of Wallace, NC passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at home.

David Warren Hepler was born in Mt. Olive, North Carolina on July 8, 1951. He was the son of Claude L. Hepler and Elizabeth Warren Hepler of Wallace, North Carolina.

Known as Warren to his friends, he was a product of the Duplin County School system graduating from Wallace - Rose Hill High School in 1969. He continued his education at East Carolina University a received a BA in Political Science in 1976.

In the spring of 1976, Warren joined the congressional campaign of Charles 0. Whitley. Whitley was victorious in his campaign and asked for Warren to join his office staff as Research Assistant. Warren served in that capacity from 1977 until 1987. In 1987, Congressman Whitley retired. H. Martin Lancaster of Goldsboro, N. C. asked Warren to operate his North Carolina office of constituent services in Goldsboro as District Administrative assistant.

 He served with Mr. Lancaster from 1987 until 1995. In October, of 1995, Warren began service with the United States Department of Agriculture as District Director for the Farm Service Agency. Warren served as District Director from 1995 until 2011.

In addition to his federal service, Warren was also active in local municipal service where, he also served on several town committees including the Airport Board, the Depot Commission, the Planning board and the Wallace ABC Board. He was elected to the Wallace Town Council in 1995 and served for 24 consecutive years until 2019.

Mr. Hepler was married to Helen Johnson and they shared twenty-nine years of love and happiness. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565; Wallace Depot Commission, 206 S.W. Railroad Street, Wallace, NC 28466; Pet Friends of Duplin County, Post Office Box 152, Wallace, NC 28466.