William "Bill" Parker Howard, Iii

William "Bill" Parker Howard, III, 89, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Saturday May 7, 2016 at Iredell Memorial Hospital, due to complications of pneumonia. Bill was born September 16, 1926 in Lakeland, FL. He was the son of the late William Parker Howard, Jr. and Ruth Thompson Howard. He attended Male High School in Louisville, Ky. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII in 1943. He served in the South Pacific, he was Honorably Discharged, with the rank of Corporal, in 1946. He attended the University of Louisville and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. He was a member of the Fraternity TKD (Tap-A-Keg-A-Day), which was formed by returning Veterans that attended the University. Bill met the love of his life, Julia Harlan McHenry, of Charlotte, N.C. at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky. They later married on December 21, 1951. He worked for the British American Tobacco Company, in Trinidad and Costa Rica, South America until 1953. When Bill and Julia returned to the United States in 1953, he began work for his father-in-law, Edward R. McHenry, at McHenry Chevrolet in Hickory N.C. until 1955. In 1955 he worked for Abernathy Chevrolet as General Manager until 1957. On October 1, 1957, Bill and Edward R. Bell acquired Scarborough Chevrolet in Statesville, N.C., which would become Bell & Howard Chevrolet in March 1971. In 1968 the partners acquired the Kaiser Jeep Franchise, which later became Dixie Jeep Chrysler. Their Dealerships, over the years, acquired the Franchises GMC Heavy Duty Trucks, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Chrysler. At the passing of his partner, Ed Bell in 1989, Bill took over as sole owner and dealer until his retirement. Through the years 1959 - 2000, he was a member of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (NCADA) and assumed various offices. He was President, Director and Treasurer of the NCADA, he served on their Insurance Trust Board, Board of Trustees and was Chairman of the Dealer Action Committee of N.C. He was awarded Time Magazine's, N.C. Dealer of the Year in 1989. He received NCADA's Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2001. In 2007 he was honored by General Motors in recognition of 50 years as a Chevrolet Dealer. He worked to measurably boost the reputation and image of the Franchised Automobile Dealers in N.C. thru the NCADA. He was involved in getting enacted the N.C Seat Belt Law and was also on the committee for the Association's "Advertising Code of Ethics". He was proud of his work at the State level and helped to raise the representation of the Franchised Automobile Dealer's in North Carolina. Bill was so thankful that he had good managers and good employees that helped him have the time, to give something back to the industry. Bill cared about the community and felt a responsibility as a family man and as a business owner, to help those less fortunate. He served in official capacities with the Statesville Lions Club, Salvation Army (29 years), First Union National Bank Board, Statesville City Club, Statesville Country Club, Kings Grant Apartments, Statesville Rotary Club (Paul Harris Award), Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. Bill was a regular Blood and Platelet Donor with the American Red Cross for many years. He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he has served as Deacon and President of the Men's Bible Class. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his friends and golf group, "The Mashters". He enjoyed doing woodwork and stained glass, out in his workshop. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his older sister, Eloise Howard Smith and twin sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Howard Bowles and a nephew Michael Bowles. He is survived by four children, James (Janet) Howard, Linda Howard, Genevieve Howard and John (Aimee) Howard. He is also survived by Jack (Claire) Smith of Louisville, Ky., niece Bonnie (John) Smith Ciliege of Independence, Ky. and nephew, Beau Bowles of Louisville, Ky. and numerous cousins. The family would like to acknowledge the caregivers of Bill and Julia Howard since 2000. Charlotte Starrette, Debra Turner, Lori Turner and Jeanette Whitesides. They have been with the family for 16 years and have loved and cared for them, every day. Also, much love and thanks is given to Tab Stikeleather, loyal friend and employee for over 55 years. Bill Howard was a loving, caring and respected husband, father and friend. He taught his children the love of home and of travel, to treat people fairly and with respect and kindness. Bill's second family were the employees of Bell & Howard Chevrolet and Dixie Jeep Chrysler. He valued his employees and cared about them. In return, they respected him, cared for his company and cared for Bill's family, for 55 years. His respect was not demanded but earned. There will be a visitation Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the family's home at 403 Deauville Road, Statesville, NC 29625, from 5:30 - 7:30. On Thursday, May 12, 2016, there will be a private family burial with Military Honors at Oakwood Cemetery at 1:00, followed by a memorial service to celebrate Bill's life at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steven Scott officiating. Members of Bill's Sunday School Class are asked to sit as an honorary group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville, NC 28677, the American Red Cross, 1710 Davie Ave. #5, Statesville, NC 28677 and to the Salvation Army, 1361 Caldwell Street, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Bill Howard.