I really got to know Billy after I moved back to Kinston. Billy married Brenda Scott, a former classmate. She was the love of his life. Paul and I ate lunch together everyday just like Billy and Brenda. They were inseparable. We should all be so lucky to find someone who cares about us as much as they did about each other. He knew he was loved.
Probably that smile you see in the senior picture is my best remembrance of Billy. Not close friends but He seemed well respected and like by his intimates. I knew Brenda all my life and extend my deepest sorrow for her loss.
I knew Billy from Harvey and Grainger. We were always in the same home room. I can't remember when I would see him and he wasn't smiling. He was my friend and buddy. I was very sad when I heard he was gone. I felt bad that I had not seen him since high school. I miss you, Billy, but I will never forget you. You were one of the best that made the class of 69'.
In the spring of our senior year, the track team had a mult-school meet . This meet features 5 conference school (E. Cart., W. Cart., Havolock, New Bern & us), and took place just a few days prior to the conference meet. Wally D. called it a "tune up". We had not won a meet all season, finishing a close second in all prior events. As it turned out, we were going into the last race (the mile relay) again trailing by 2 points. If we won the relay, we would win the meet. Wally D. decided to put together a "competative relay team" (as he referred to it). The only problem was that none of the four runners had ever run the mile relay, or even practiced together. Nate Voss and Billy were sprinters and Gary and I were hurdlers, an unlikely combination to say the least. Nate ran the fist leg, Gary the second and I struggled through the third. We had about a 5 to 6 yard lead on New Bern going into the final leg (Billy's leg). When I handed the baton to Billy, I saw a smile on his face and a sense of calm in his eyes. It was as if someone had lite afterburners. Billy left the other teams in the dust and won by at least 15 yards and was going away. We won the relay and the meet. It was also the first and only time the four of us ran as a relay team.
Billy was my team mate, my friend and a class act.
Billy was a very nice person, always a pleasure to be around, always had that smile. He was also a very good athlete. We were on the wrestling team together and I remember he was an awesome wrestler. He was a gentleman and a friend that will be missed.
Ella Whitley (Rodgman)
I really got to know Billy after I moved back to Kinston. Billy married Brenda Scott, a former classmate. She was the love of his life. Paul and I ate lunch together everyday just like Billy and Brenda. They were inseparable. We should all be so lucky to find someone who cares about us as much as they did about each other. He knew he was loved.Jimmy Rochelle
Probably that smile you see in the senior picture is my best remembrance of Billy. Not close friends but He seemed well respected and like by his intimates.I knew Brenda all my life and extend my deepest sorrow for her loss.
Love
Jimmy
Allan Hinds
I knew Billy from Harvey and Grainger. We were always in the same home room. I can't remember when I would see him and he wasn't smiling. He was my friend and buddy. I was very sad when I heard he was gone. I felt bad that I had not seen him since high school. I miss you, Billy, but I will never forget you. You were one of the best that made the class of 69'.Harper Register
In the spring of our senior year, the track team had a mult-school meet . This meet features 5 conference school (E. Cart., W. Cart., Havolock, New Bern & us), and took place just a few days prior to the conference meet. Wally D. called it a "tune up". We had not won a meet all season, finishing a close second in all prior events. As it turned out, we were going into the last race (the mile relay) again trailing by 2 points. If we won the relay, we would win the meet. Wally D. decided to put together a "competative relay team" (as he referred to it). The only problem was that none of the four runners had ever run the mile relay, or even practiced together. Nate Voss and Billy were sprinters and Gary and I were hurdlers, an unlikely combination to say the least. Nate ran the fist leg, Gary the second and I struggled through the third. We had about a 5 to 6 yard lead on New Bern going into the final leg (Billy's leg). When I handed the baton to Billy, I saw a smile on his face and a sense of calm in his eyes. It was as if someone had lite afterburners. Billy left the other teams in the dust and won by at least 15 yards and was going away. We won the relay and the meet. It was also the first and only time the four of us ran as a relay team.Billy was my team mate, my friend and a class act.
Barbara Boone (Coley)
I remember Billy always had a smile on his face.Harry McHugh
Billy was a very nice person, always a pleasure to be around, always had that smile. He was also a very good athlete. We were on the wrestling team together and I remember he was an awesome wrestler. He was a gentleman and a friend that will be missed.