MURFREESBORO, NC – Mr. William “Bill” Berry Sowell, age 87, passed away on June 24, 2017 at his residence.
Mr. Sowell was born on February 22, 1930 to the late William Richard and Marybelle McManus Sowell in Pageland, SC. He graduated from Pageland High School in 1948 and joined the United States Coast Guard, serving his country for four and one-half years. Bill enrolled in the Roy Parker School of Printing at Chowan College and graduated with the first Graphic Arts diploma to be issued by the institution in 1955. He immediately began his forty-year career of teaching printing, as well as producing all of Chowan’s printing needs. Bill continued his studies at Chowan to earn an A.A. degree. Then enrolled in East Carolina University and earned his B.S. degree, while teaching full time at Chowan.
In 1986, his colleagues on the faculty awarded him the Excellence in Teaching Award. The students dedicated the 1967 yearbook to him. Bill received the Order of Lux et Veritas Award in 1987. In 2001 Bill was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award. In addition to his teaching career, Bill was the golf coach at Chowan for fifteen years. He was “Coach of the Year” twice, in 1984-85 and 1985-86. He had several NJCAA All-Americans, All-Conference and All-Region performers.
Bill was a member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church where he has served on the Board of Directors, Lay Speaker and taught Sunday School for numerous years. He twice served as president of the Exchange Club. He belongs to American George Masonic Lodge No. 17 in Murfreesboro, NC, and is a member of the Roanoke-Chowan Shrine Club. Bill was a member of the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad for ten years and was a lifetime honorary member. He was a scoutmaster for twelve years and coached Little League baseball for many years. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother that will be deeply missed by all those that knew him.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, June, his daughter, Wanda Sowell Rawlin of Virginia Beach, VA; two sons, Berry Sowell and wife, Terri of Dothan, AL, and Richard Joseph Sowell of Alexandria, VA; three grandsons, William Colby Sowell and David Seth Rawlin, both of Nashville, TN, and William Thomas Sowell of Alexandria, VA; two granddaughters, Casey Sowell Wolfe and husband Riley, of Huntsville, AL, and Katherine Anne Sowell of Alexandra, VA; one great-grandson, William Fitzpatrick Wolfe; and one sister, Donna Jean Waters of Charlotte, NC.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm at the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with a celebration of life service to follow at 2:00 pm at the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church. Reverend Monica Beacham and Reverend Jason Villegas will be officiating and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made directly to the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church or online by clicking here or directly to Chowan University, William “Bill” Sowell Scholarship Fund or online by clicking here
Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Sowell family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com
Mr. Sowell was one of my three Graphic Arts Instructors at Chowan College in 1970. Additionally, he was active with the local rescue squad while I served as a police officer. I always admired Mr. Sowell. He always set the example to follow.
I am sorry to hear about Mr. Sowell’s passing. He was my favorite teacher in the Graphic Arts program. He was also a great teacher of life. I still remember him asking me if my girlfriend had ironed my shirt knowing full well I didn’t have a girfriend. I learned how to iron my clothes and to look presentable in public as a result of that conversation. He was a father figure to many students and was always someone you could count on.
Sorry for your loss.
June and family, sorry for your loss. As a colleague of Bill’s for more than 20 years, I have fond memories of him in many situations. I’ll be thinking of you.
So very sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Sowell. He was always such a kind and helpful colleague and teacher. I knew him as a student while at Chowan and also when I worked there as Asst. Director of Admissions and worked with him on designing new recruiting materials and promoting the graphic arts department during my recruiting travels for Chowan. My prayers are with all of you in the loss of such a gracious and kind-heartened gentleman.
I was sad to hear the Mr. Sowell had passed away. I was so fortunate to have him as my professor at Chowan College in 1974-1976. He was a larger than life figure to me and credit him for shaping me into the man I am today. While sadly I am not in the printing trade anymore, the lessons I learned under him have applied to my profession today and life in general. Thank You Mr. Sowell!
Grateful for Bill and his contributions into my life and many others who had him for instruction at Chowan and as a friend locally. He was larger than life in our community and when it comes to solid rocks or pillars, you could always count on his character and his word beyond most. A truly fine man and the best times I had with Mr. Sowell were when he was relaxed and I could make him laugh. He was a father-like figure that you always sought the approval of, because when you had his approval, you had his respect and when you had his respect, it meant much more coming from him, because he did not easily just give that away. He made you earn it. Loved the man and always admired his daughter Wanda as she so represented his strength as a young girl and young lady. Grateful for his legacy in my life….
I was quite saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Sowell. He was a great influence in my life in Murfreesboro as our Boy Scout leader. May God comfort his family and friends.
My condolences to Bill’s family. He was a wonderful caring man, that always had something great to say to me. He will always be in my memories and heart.
Very sorry for your loss. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing his daughter for many years. Much love to the family.