For the second time in July, the community will grieve the loss of a man killed in the line of duty, with funeral arrangements announced Friday for Deputy William Ronald Mast Jr. who was killed early Thursday morning.  Austin and Barnes Funeral Home announced that the N.C. Highway Patrol's Caisson Unit will provide transportation to the 2 p.m. funeral Tuesday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The receiving for Deputy Mast will be tonight, 6 to 9pm at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The State’s sheriffs Association sent out a memorandum to all law enforcement with the funeral plans, and officers from across the state and around the country will be in attendance. Austin and Barnes said that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the William Hunter Mast Scholarship Fund—the unborn son of the fallen deputy—sent in care of Highland Union Bank, 1013 N.C. 105, Boone, NC 28607. In mourning for Mast, the first Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty, flags in Watauga County have been lowered to half-staff, and officers from all agencies in the area have donned black ribbons across their badges.  AppalCART announced their buses will display a purple ribbon to honor the fallen deputy, while Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock is spearheading a fundraiser to support Mast's wife and unborn child.
In preparation for traffic surround the funeral of William Mast Jr. on Tuesday, authorities have set up remote parking with shuttle service on the lot of W-J Office City and the lot next door.  If that lot overflows, traffic will be directed to a second lot. The caisson unit will travel onto the church grounds with an entourage of officers and family for the 2pm funeral.
Leaving Mt. Vernon after the service—sometime after 3—the procession will travel Bamboo to 421; to the NC 105 Extension, the 105 bypass, then US 421 through Vilas and US 321 to Cove Creek.  With the extensive entourage expected to be part of the procession, area law enforcement is asking the public to be aware of the situation and make travel plans accordingly.