WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — It’s been 11 years since Deputy William Mast Jr. was killed in the line of duty. For the past decade, to help honor his memory, William’s father has organized a motorcycle ride to raise money for scholarships in his name.

What You Need To Know

  • William Mast Jr. was killed in the line of duty in July 2012
  • His father has organized a motorcycle ride for a decade
  • The ride gives five scholarships out to students in Watauga County

Bill Mast spends his days cleaning and detailing cars. It’s a business he started after his son William was killed on July 26, 2012. 

“He went to a domestic violence call, and he got shot. He actually got the family out and got them behind the car and the husband come out on him and shot him,” Mast said.

He thinks about that night all year, but on the anniversary, he thinks about it just a little more. 

“You think of what happened and you think about the phone calls, you think about seeing him, you think about everything,” Mast said.“You think of what happened and you think about the phone calls, you think about seeing him, you think about everything,” Mast said.

He spends the anniversary at Mast Cemetery.

“He was always helping keep the cemetery mowed,” Mast said.

It’s a place his son helped keep clean, so it only made sense for him to be buried inside.

“It’s very nice to have him here on top of the mountain overlooking where he used to ride horses,” Mast said.

He is now buried next to his family.

“He’s buried beside my grandpa, my grandma, my dad and my mom,” Mast said.

Mast sits and remembers what happened on that day and says he keeps pushing forward to keep his memory alive, especially with his yearly motorcycle ride.

“He loved life. He loved horses. He loved motorcycles. He was willing to do anything. He was just full of life,” Mast said.

The ride that used to be called the William Mast Jr. Memorial Ride now has the words “and fallen brothers” added in. Money raised from the ride helps provide five scholarships to anyone going into emergency services in the names of those that died in Watauga County. Scholarships have been added for Chris Ward and Logan Fox. Both were killed in the line of duty two years ago.

“People ask me if it’s a sad day. It’s sad, but it makes me happy to do it,” Mast said.

He is happy to see hundreds of bikes making their way down the streets of Watauga County. This year’s ride is 52 miles long.

“Looking in my rearview mirror, seeing all these motorcycles behind you. It’s just a good feeling seeing people come out and support the scholarship like they do,” Mast said.

This year’s ride will be held at Watauga County High School on Aug. 19. Registration begins at 9 a.m.