Willie Harold “Red” Howell, 84, a resident of the Rich Mountain Road, Beverly, departed this life Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2013, in Hospice Care Regional Inpatient Center at Elkins. He had been in declining health for the past two years.
He was born Monday, Sept. 17, 1928, at Beverly, a son of the late William “Bill” and Rosie Lee Watson Howell.
On Oct. 21, 1949, he was married to the former Nancy Lee DeHaven, who survives. They had celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Also surviving are seven sons, Fred Howell of Beverly, William “Ringo” Howell and wife Charlotte, of Valley Head, Howard Howell and wife, Julie, of Elkins, Edward Howell and wife, Rita, of Norton, Willie Howell Jr. and wife, Heather, of Elkins, Robert Howell of Beverly and Ernie Howell and wife, Sherry, of Beverly; six daughters, Cindy Sisolack and husband, John, of Belington, Betty Shreve and husband, Tom, of Beverly, Barbara Polk and husband, Mike, of Elkins, Susan Howell and husband, Gene, of Elkins, Peggy Bennett and husband, Ted, of Beverly, and Pam Petrice and husband, Randy, of Beverly; three brothers, Don, Jim and John Howell; four sisters Marie, Virginia, Luceeba and Norma, 26 grandchildren, Johnny, Theresa Ann, Julie, Tommy Jr., Steve, Buddy Jr., Nancy, Jessica, Jennifer, Mike, Eric “Bozo,” Bren, Ryan, Allison, Morgan, Brian, Natasha, Justin, Katelyn, Ernie Jr., Caleb, Abby, Amber, Randy “Bubba,” Amy and Alex; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, four brothers-in-law, Delmos, Jesse, Raymond and Sam; and three sisters-in-law, Lana, Joyce and Minnie.
Preceding him in death were one son, Billie Howell; one granddaughter, Julie Ann Shreve; one great-granddaughter, Delilah Petrice; six brothers, Okey, Burlin, Bruce, Otto, Rich and Tommy; one sister, Roanna; one brother-in-law, Austin; and seven sisters-in-law, Faye, Georgeanna, Beulah, Theresa, Joyce, Louise and Patty.
“Red” attended the schools of Beverly. He had worked as coal miner, logger, and at the tannery at Durbin. He was a truck driver for R.H. Armstrong Inc. for many years and retired from the city of Beverly, where he worked as a supervisor. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and ginsenging with his sons.
The family will receive friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel Saturday, April 6, at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Jack Howell and the Rev. Robert Shreve will officiate, and interment will follow in Beverly Cemetery at Beverly.
Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Willie Harold “Red” Howell. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
