William "Bill" Claude Watford

William "Bill" Claude Watford, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024. He was born on September 9, 1945, in Florence, South Carolina to Claude Lester Watford and Katie Knotts Watford. 
  
Bill dedicated many years of his life to working as a knitting technical manager in hosiery mills, retiring from Berkshire Hosiery (Lemco) where his hard work and leadership were truly valued. After retirement he enjoyed working at Lowe’s Home Improvement (tool world) part-time. Bill had a passion for various hobbies and interests including traveling, sports, and music, and he also loved antique tractors.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, and was famous for his chicken bog, which the family referred to as “The Stuff”. 
  
One of Bill's proudest accomplishments was his role as a Little League baseball coach for years. Fondly known as "Coach Billy" in his hometown, he led his team to victory in the championship in 1980. His commitment to coaching impacted the lives of the young players he mentored. The players have said he never fussed, but they loved how he folded his arms and just smiled when his team had the upper hand. 
  
In his circle of family and friends, Bill will be deeply missed but forever remembered. He is survived by his loving wife, Amy Conrad Watford; daughter, Lynn Johnson and her husband Freddie; son, Brian Sloan; son-in-law, John Bazen; grandchildren, Jacob (Shauna) Johnson, Tony (Jessica) Martin, Staff Sergeant Zackery (London) Johnson USMC, Kody Grady, Sharon Grady; as well as great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Corey, Kayla, Tyson, Belle, Asher, Atreyu, Rylee, Wyatt, Emmett, Sjauna, Chaya, Stella, Harper, Avalon, and Ember; and niece & nephews, David, Wayne, Jamie & Lisa Carol and others.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughters, Sherry Ann Watford and Kimberly Bazen; and sister, Janice Watford Wyndham. 
  
A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Paul Speagle officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:45 AM – 12: 45 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Westlawn Gardens of Memory, 6135 Ridgecrest Point, Clemmons, NC  27103. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice, UNC Chapel Hill/UNC Hillsboro Hospitals, Moses Cone, Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory, Westlawn Gardens of Memory, Living Hope Ministries, Shawmut Park Avenue LLC, and Lowe’s Home Improvement for their care and support during this final chapter.

Bill Watford's presence touched the lives of many, and his memory will continue to live on through the love and cherished moments he shared with those around him. He was a prayer warrior - if he knew you, he prayed for you.