BILLY ROWELL LENNON

1923 - 2017

BILLY ROWELL LENNON Billy Rowell Lennon, age 93 of Mt. Misery Road in Leland, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2017. Born in Brunswick County at his family home on November 12, 1923, he was the oldest child of George William Lennon and Eula Lee Rowell. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother James Council Lennon, and sister, Betsy Kate Summerville. His is survived by his sister, Nancy Lee Clark, and brother Donald Ray Lennon (Billie), children; Kathy Cherry, Randy Lennon (Vickie), Kim Hartman, Lori Stanley (Charles), and Alison Miller (David), nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Billy was loved and respected by all who knew him for his remarkable patience, kindness, and unceasing devotion to his children, his church and service to his community. He was a life-long member of Goshen Baptist Church, which he dearly loved, and where he served in many offices, including Deacon, Building and Grounds Committee and the Cemetery Committee, and as a member of the Men's Brotherhood. Billy graduated from Leland High School in 1941, then served in the US Army 8th Air Corps where he flew 35 combat missions over Germany and occupied France during WWII. He was honorable discharged as Tech Sergeant at the close of the war. Making his home in Wilmington, he worked and retired with more than 30 years service at the US Steel Agri Fertilizer plant at Navassa, NC. He will be remembered by friends and loved ones as a man who truly lived his Christian faith, loved his fellow man and was an exemplary role model for his children. Though gone to his glory, he will live on in the hearts of family. Celebration of Life ceremony , officiated by Dr. Barbara Bell, will be held 11 am Saturday, September 9, 2017 at his beloved Goshen Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service in the church hall. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Chad Payne, Danny Payne, Jacob Payne, Randy Lennon II, Steve Snyder, and nephew Van Lewis. In lieu of flowers consider a memorial gift to Goshen Baptist Church by visiting www.tmcfunding.com Share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wilmingtoncares.com Wilmington Funeral & Cremation Village Road Chapel, 525 Village Rd., Leland, NC 28451.