William E. Otwell Jr.

William "Billy" Eugene Otwell Jr.

July 26, 1953 – October 21, 2025

William "Billy" Eugene Otwell Jr., 72, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Georgia, Billy was the beloved husband of 48 years to Rebecca "Becky" Otwell, devoted father to Alex (Erin) Otwell and Sydney (Brad) LeFevre, and proud "Pop Pops" to Inés, Scout, and Beau.

Billy built a long and respected career in broadcast journalism, serving as a reporter, producer, and news director in newsrooms across the country before joining Voice of America in Washington, D.C. Known for his quick wit, curiosity, and calm leadership under pressure, he guided teams through major world events and earned the admiration of colleagues everywhere he worked.

Outside of work, Billy was a storyteller, traveler, and lover of life's small joy-filled details. He treasured family road trips, Braves baseball, Pink Floyd, Chinese takeout, and well-timed humor that could brighten any room. Billy was an avid animal lover. He was someone who made others feel at ease, and he never missed a chance to make the people around him laugh.

In his later years, Billy faced Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body dementia with strength and quiet resilience. Even as the illness progressed, the warmth in his eyes and the love he carried for his family never faded. He will be remembered for his loyalty, his humor, his steady presence, and the deep love he gave his family. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the curiosity he inspired, and the joy and adventure he brought to every part of life.

A Funeral will be held Saturday November 8th at 1:00pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, 8412 Richmond Ave #2328, Alexandria, VA 22309.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation in Billy's honor.