Billy Fulton Howie

Billy Fulton Howie passed away June 4, 2025. He was born September 27, 1926, to Baxter Fulton Howie and Leona Helms Howie. He is preceded in death by his wife Modene McCorkle Howie and three sisters, Clara McDonald, Eleanor Smith Little and Olive Howie.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Mineral Springs Methodist Church Cemetery, 5915 Old Waxhaw-Monroe Road, Monroe, NC 28112. An informal Celebration of Life Service and Visitation will follow in the church sanctuary.

Bill, along with his three older sisters, were raised on a farm in Mineral Springs, NC. He played baseball in high school and was in the band. After graduation, he joined the navy and served during World War 11. When Bill returned home, he married Modene McCorkle, who was also raised in Mineral Springs. Together they ran a small grocery store in Mineral Springs. They raised three children. Bill and Modene were married 72 years before she passed in 2020.

Bill was a "walking" postman in Monroe for a few years in the 50's. Then he went to work for AT&T for the next 27 years. He always had an acute sense of civic responsibility. He served on the Union County Board of Education for 17 years and was chairman for two years. During his term serving on the board, elementary schools were consolidated, two new high schools were built, schools were integrated, the first school bond was passed, the career center was opened, and teachers were required to teach to their certificate. He was responsible for the naming of Parkwood High School. For the following 55 years, he attended more than 800 sporting events in support of Parkwood High School.

He was very active in his community. He helped organize the first fire department in Mineral Springs and served the fire department for 23 years and was president of the County Firemen's Association. He was a scoutmaster for seven years, the Civil Defense Director of Union County during the Cuban Crisis, and a member of the Union County Historical Society. He served on the board for the Waxhaw Museum, was a member of the Lions Club, Woodmen of the World. and active in the local PTA. Bill organized and went on numerous trips to provide disaster relief to flood, hurricane and tornado-stricken areas. He also organized many crossroad collections for various disaster reliefs. He was a local historian who has written many books pertaining to local history and moral issues concerning our society and the church. He loved “camp meeting” and attended Pleasant Grove Campground for the annual camp meeting every year of his life.

Bill was also very active in his church. He loved his church. He attended Mineral Springs Methodist Church all his life and had been an active member for all his adult life. He was elected to represent Mineral Springs Methodist Church at the Methodist General Conference three times and the Annual Conference twenty-five times. He taught Sunday School and drove the church bus to pick up children who otherwise would not be able to go to church. He also served as Sunday School superintendent at one time. Bill was an active member of the United Methodist Men for twenty- five years and sang in the choir for fifty years. He led several Lay Witness missions and was a member of the Conference Board of Church and Society for four years (an evangelistic wing of the Methodist church). He also helped sponsor and walked in the March for Jesus that was held in Monroe. Bill wrote over fifty letters to the local newspaper concerning moral issues facing our society at that time. His desire to help others was apparent even in the nursing home. You would see him in his wheelchair trying to push another person in a wheelchair or trying to help someone get something off the floor. Many times, he would "wheel up" beside a resident who looked like they needed company and attempted to strike up a conversation.

Despite all his involvement in so many things, he always had time to be a loving, caring and supportive father and husband. He always had time for his family. He always had a fun vacation planned every summer for the family. He and Modene attended most, if not all, their children's (and grandchildren's) ballgames, band concerts, recitals, and so on. He taught his children well by words and example. The most powerful influence on a child is the quiet, unspoken observation of a parent's honesty, perseverance and hard work and most importantly maintaining a strong foundation based on a true Christian lifestyle. We are sure he has already heard the words “Well Done”.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Modene McCorkle Howie. He is survived by his sons Eddy (Felicia) and Johnny (Diane) and his daughter Susan. He is also survived by two grandsons Daniel (Naomi) and Matthew. A service to honor the life of Bill will be held Sunday June 8, 2:00 P.M. at Mineral Springs Methodist Church. The service will begin outside at the gravesite and then move into the sanctuary.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is honored to be entrusted to care for the Howie Family.