LELAND —- Billy Rowell Lennon, 93, passed away Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017.
Born in Brunswick County at his family home on Nov. 12, 1923, he was the oldest child of George William Lennon and Eula Lee Rowell. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Council Lennon; and sister, Betsy Kate Summerville.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy Lee Clark; brother, Donald Ray Lennon (Billie); children, Kathy Cherry, Randy Lennon (Vickie), Kim Hartman, Lori Stanley (Charles) and Alison Miller (David); and nine grandchildren and 11 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 lifelong 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 U.S. Army 8th Air Corps, where he flew 35 combat missions over Germany and occupied France during World War II. He was honorably 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 U.S. Steel Agri Fertilizer plant, Navassa, N.C. 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.
A celebration of life ceremony, officiated by Dr. Barbara Bell, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at his beloved Goshen Baptist Church. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service in the church hall. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Chad Payne, Danny Payne, Jacob Payne, Randy Lennon II and Steve Snyder; and nephew, Van Lewis.
In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial gift to Goshen Baptist Church at tmcfunding.com.
Share online condolences with the family at wilmingtoncares.com.
