William Person Harrell, Sr.

William Person "Billy" Harrell, Sr., 86, of 109 N. Main Street, Colerain, NC, died Friday, November 21, 2014 in his home. Mr. Harrell was born in Wilson County on April 5, 1928, and was the son of the late Britton and Bessie Owens Harrell. A retired supervisor with CF Industries, and also a retired farmer, he was a member of Colerain Baptist Church, Davie Masonic Lodge #39 in Ahoskie, had served as Master of the former Colerain Masonic Lodge, and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Passionate about gardening, History, and politics, he had committed to memory the Constitution of the United States, and had published a game, "Critical Endeavor", designed to bring about a clear understanding of the Constitution. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Gay Harrell Bowers, and his eight siblings. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Mary Alice Jackson Harrell; a daughter, Patty Harrell Bass and husband Sherwood of Merry Hill; three sons, William P. Harrell, Jr. and wife Elizabeth, John A. Harrell and wife Lou, and Edward J. Harrell and wife Tammy, all of Colerain; ten grandchildren, Mary Dean, Martha, Brittany, Billy, Cody, Duke, Pristina, Tabitha, Jackson, and Sheree; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Colerain Baptist Church by the Rev. Gary Saffell. A private burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, with Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, handling arrangements. Friends may join the family at the residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either Colerain Baptist Church, 202 N. Main Street, Colerain, NC 27924, or to Vidant Hospice, 920 Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.