Bill Trull

Bill Trull NEWTON Bill Trull, 78, of Newton, died Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte. Born and raised in Concord on Oct. 15, 1932, he was the son of the late Lorenzo Culpepper and Tessie Underwood Trull. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Trull Wilcox and two brothers, Arnold Trull and Bobby Trull. Bill attended Lenoir-Rhyne University and then went on to the Southern Lutheran Theological Seminary. He received his master's degree from Appalachian State University in vocational rehabilitation. He was a Lutheran minister for 13 years and was a manager for North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation for 29 years. He retired in 1998. Bill can be remembered for his many interesting pursuits such as volunteer firefighting, beekeeping, constructing and flying model airplanes, woodworking and having a sensational sense of humor that was well-known by his friends and family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many people and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. During his 78 years on earth, Bill's main focus and greatest pleasure came from having a very close-knit family where members spent quality time together celebrating holidays and milestones while treasuring the simple aspects of everyday life. Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Sara Carpenter Trull; daughter, Alicia Trull Rayfield of Newton; grandchildren, Spencer Paul Rayfield of Newton and Sara Elizabeth Parnell Wilcox of Rock Hill, S.C., who he dearly loved and affectionately called him "Poppy"; brother, Joe Thomas Trull of Southport; sisters, Novalene Trull Fero and husband, Charles of Concord and Peggy Lee Trull Carter of Concord; brother-in-law, Paul Carpenter and partner, Jeff Gooley;sisters-in-law, Jo Anna Cupp of Concord and Margaret James and husband, Steve of Indian Trail; and a special friend, Blair Rayfield of Conover. A service of remembrance will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at Beth Eden Lutheran Church. The Revs. Merlin Batt and James Harbinson will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2 until 2:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Lenoir-Rhyne University, 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601. Condolences may be sent to the Trull family at www.drumfuneral home.com. The Trull family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton.