W. "Dick" B. Norris

William Baines "Dick" Norris, Jr., 100, of Olin, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Gordon Hospice House. He was born in Alexander County on March 2, 1916 to the late William Baines Norris and Ada Velie Sloop Norris. Mr. Norris graduated Harmony High School and attended George Washington University. In a family of 10 children, Dick had one older brother, who moved out on his own when Dick was a boy. In that era, as the only remaining son, he helped his father with the farming duties. He served his country honorably during WWII in the Army Air Corps. He spent more than two years in the South Pacific and was in the Philippines when the atomic bombs were dropped ending the war. Mr. Norris came back to the States, settling in Washington, D.C., where he met his wife, Shirley Dillman, who preceded him in death. Their son was born in Washington and the desire to raise their son in a quieter place led them to move back to the family farm. He worked in sales which included W.R. Grace for over 17 years and farmed his land. He was a member of the Olin Masonic Lodge No. 226 AF & AM where he served as the chapter chaplain. He was honored on his 100th birthday by the lodge and was noted that he was the only 100-year-old chaplain at any Masonic lodge in North Carolina. Mr. Norris was also an active member of North Iredell American Legion Post 113 and the new Post dedicated in June of this year was named in his honor. He was a member of Tabor Presbyterian Church. Along with his parents and wife, Shirley, he was preceded in death by a grandson, James William Norris; a great granddaughter, Kahlan Marie Huggins; his brother Glenn Norris; and sisters, Mabel N. Martin, Pearl N. Kennedy, Mary N. Austin, Blanche N. Privette, Nell N. Lundy, Nan N. Douglas. Mr. Norris is survived by a son, William B. Norris, III (Sharon) of Pulaski, VA; two granddaughters, Stephanie Dawn Merchant (Harry) of Woodbridge, VA and Kimberly Marie Huggins (Kevin) of Statesville; two great grandsons, Michael Preston Arnold II and Nicholas Alexander Arnold; a great granddaughter, Kara Michelle Huggins; and two sisters, Alma Norris and Kathleen N. Renegar. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, August 19, 2016 at Tabor Presbyterian Church with Rev. Grant Sharp officiating. Burial with military honors provided by North Iredell American Legion Post 113 will follow in the church cemetery. Members of Post 113 will serve as active pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Iredell American Legion Post 113, 3085 Harmony Highway, P.O. Box 62, Harmony, NC 28634 or to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.