Birth Date: 04/15/1943
Deceased Date: 04/30/2017
Smithfield—Willie “Billy” Dee Howell, Jr., age 74, passed away on April 30, 2017. Born on April 15, 1943 to Willie D. Howell, Sr. and Myra Hill Howell, he was delivered by his uncle Millard D. Hill, MD, his mother’s brother. Educated at Smithfield High School and East Carolina University, he taught mechanical and architectural drafting for thirty years in Johnston County Schools. He loved teaching and especially enjoyed hearing from former students.
Billy especially loved helping others, whether it was family, neighbors, friends, or strangers. One of his most enjoyable endeavors was volunteering in law enforcement. He was a reserve officer with the Smithfield Police Department for over thirty-five years and a special deputy with the Johnston County Sheriff’s office for over four years. Another source of joy was helping members of his church; he began his own ministry of helping anyone who had small jobs that needed doing around the house. Another enjoyment was visiting the sick and the homebound. One of his greatest joys was repairing items for his family; his nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews thought he could fix anything!
Billy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Delores “Dee” Hooks Howell of Smithfield; son, Jody Patrick Howell of Clayton; sister Evelyn “Eve” Howell Stephenson (Ronnie) of Raleigh; niece Heather S. Darling (Pat) of Raleigh; and other beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.
Visitation we be held on Wednesday May 3, 2017 from10:30 til 12:30 am in Wesley Hall of Centenary United Methodist Church, with a memorial service following at 12:30. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Children’s Home Society of NC,
PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415; or to Centenary United Methodist Church,
140 East Market St., Smithfield, NC 27577.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.underwoodfh.com.
