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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.22
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned hereby appoints James H. Garner, Eric P. Credle and
Anna G. Hollers, and each of them, with full power to act without the others,
to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") of First Bancorp (the
"Company") with respect to the registration of shares of common stock of the
Company for issuance in connection with the proposed merger of First Savings
Bancorp, Inc. into First Bancorp and any amendment (including any
post-effective amendment) to the Registration Statement (or any other
registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon
filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933) and to file
the same, with exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection
therewith, making such changes in the Registration Statement as the person(s)
so acting deems appropriate, and appoints each of such persons, each with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, attorney-in-fact to sign the
Registration Statement and any amendment (including any post-effective
amendment) to the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement
for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933) and to file the same with exhibits
thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith.

         This the 21st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ John C. Willis
                                       ---------------------------
                                       John C. Willis
                                       Director