Billy Auther Lea

After a lengthy battle with Metastatic Multiple Myeloma, Billy joined his Heavenly Father on July 2, 2015, with his daughter Julie by his bedside. He was being cared for at Cape Fear Valley Health Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Billy was born June 28, 1936 in Yanceyville, North Carolina, to Sallie Lea McKay (deceased), where he grew up loved and cared for by his late Grandparents Julia H. and Thomas S. Lea, Sr., his late aunts Martha Little, Eleanor Williamson, and Nannie Belpree. His childhood was filled with his love for all God’s creatures. He took care of an orphaned squirrel that later became a regular visitor at his bedroom window for a treat. He could often be found hanging out with his ‘little brother’ Michael Little, and his cousin, Emma Lois Monroe. He and his uncle Thomas S. Lea, Jr. (deceased) had a great time building houses together. He also enjoyed fishing and baseball. Billy was always a sharp dresser and loved cars and car engines. He graduated from Caswell County High School in May 1955. He left North Carolina and moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he attended Fenn College of Engineering. His late aunt and uncle, Melba (Lea) and Alvyn F. Bellmar, also in Ohio, could always depend on Billy being there to support whatever challenge came their way. If ever you needed Billy, all you had to do was ask, he would be there for you. Billy served in the United States Army from 1959 until 1961. He was stationed in Okinawa during the Berlin Crisis. He returned to Cleveland, Ohio and in the fall of 1962, he married Alma Pinnix. To this union were born two wonderful children, Thomas Newman and Julie Robin. Though much of his day was spent working at TRW-Valve Division, his free time was spent with his family. He passed on his enthusiasm for bowling, aquariums, drag racing, mechanical engineering, all around creativity, fishing, and life to his children and grandchildren. Billy retired from TRW in June of 1999. We all knew that this son of North Carolina was headed home to fish! He moved back to Fayetteville to set up residence and take care of his mother, Sallie, until her passing in 2002. His life in Fayetteville was anything but quiet retirement. He made many friends bowling in numerous leagues, fishing fans in the early morning hours, green-thumb garden enthusiasts, and breakfast buddies at ‘his’ Chik-Fil-A. His most special time was spent with his sweetheart, Inez Cole. Though Billy’s life was busy he always had time for his family. Thomas, his wife Margaret and their children, Cierra and O’Brian; Julie, her husband Andrew and their children Dhafir, Lyki’El and Anjulique knew that fishing was on the itinerary no matter how long or short the visit. The excitement over going to Granddad’s house would have them packing their fishing clothes weeks in advance. They knew Granddad would have a new fishing rod for them to try to cast or a new pocketknife to add to their own tackle boxes, at the very least they would catch a fish! Billy will also be remembered for his colorful sense of humor, the smile on his face, the twinkle in his eye and the love in his heart by: his children- Julie Lea (Andrew) Jones of Tallahassee, FL, Thomas N. (Margaret) Lea of Knoxville TN, Unique E. Lee, Farragut, TN; grandchildren- A. Andrew D. (Cristen) Jones, III , K. J. Lyki’El Jones, Cierra Cutshaw, K. Anjulique J. Jones, and O’Brian T. Lea, Joule E. Lee; ‘brother’- Michael Little; cousins- Emma Lois Monroe, Julius Williamson, and Julian Williamson; special nephew- Henry Summers; his sweetheart Inez Cole of Fayetteville NC; many, many friends and relatives; and his beautiful Siamese cat, Sugar. There will be two Memorial Services for Billy, one in Fayetteville, NC and one in his hometown of Yanceyville, North Carolina. The first is August 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM in Fayetteville, North Carolina at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 414 Pittman Grove Church Road, Raeford, NC 28376-7931. The second is August 28, 2015 at 4:00 PM in Yanceyville, North Carolina at Farmers Lake. The lake can be accessed at 3268 Badgett Sisters Pkwy, Yanceyville, NC 27379. Please note that if weather permits we will be fishing!

Billy Auther Lea

June 28, 1936 - July 2, 2015