William Eddie "Pa" Connell

1944 - 2023

William "Pa" Eddie Connell passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 13, at the age of 78, in Culpeper, VA, following a brief battle with cancer. Despite facing serious medical issues in the final weeks of his life, he savored each day by greeting his visitors with his favorite phrase "today's a good day," and faced his challenges with a smile.
Eddie, the eldest of three children, was born on November 14, 1944, to Everette and Jeanette Connell in Albemarle, NC.
Growing up, he showed an interest in working on vehicles and went on to spend his career working as an auto mechanic with a reputation for being able to fix anything.
In 1961, he married Beatrice Irene Fisher, and went on to have four beautiful children, which they raised in Falls Church, VA and Albemarle.
After becoming a widower, he remarried Mary Brown in 2001.
His favorite pastimes were building race cars and going to the races with his children and grandchildren, building model airplanes, gardening, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
Eddie was predeceased by father Everette Jesse Connell, mother Rachel Jeanette Kimmer, and wives Beatrice Irene Fisher and Mary Brown.
He is survived by his sisters, Carol Allen and Joyce Weaver; children Troy and wife Kathy, Scott and wife Chris, Page Furbee and husband Mike, and Stacy Harward; and stepchildren Wesley Hartsell, Melissa Crisco and husband Joey; 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Eddie will be honored during a celebration of life on Saturday, August 19, at 1 p.m., at the Uwharrie Community Church, in Albemarle, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center.