Mr. Grady William Howard

Mr. Grady William Howard, 76, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. He was born November 14, 1937 to W.W. “Bill” Howard and Edith Ratliffe Howard. Mr. Howard graduated from A.L. Brown High School, Kannapolis, in 1956. After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Howard joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He attended the Spencer School of Watchmaking and was self-employed as a jeweler/watchmaker for a number of years. He also did watch repair for Ralph Williams’ Jewelers. When Piedmont Correctional Center was built, he became a Correctional Officer and did Extradition Work. He was on the Governor’s 20 Shooting Team and did firearms instruction. He later served as Safety Officer and Veterans Services Officer for Rowan County. He was working as a North Carolina State Veteran Officer in Winston Salem when he retired in 1998. Mr. Howard loved flying radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters. He was one of the first three people in the nation to fly radio-controlled helicopters. He did extensive traveling and competition with this hobby and wrote articles for Radio-Control Modelers Magazine. Mr. Howard was an avid golfer and played with the GARS. He was a member o f the Salisbury Spencer Moose Lodge, having served as Governor of the Salisbury Lodge and was a member of the Eureka Masonic Lodge. Those who knew him remember him for his telling of “stories.” He married his wife, Barbara Pinkston Howard, on April 11, 1962. Together they enjoyed riding motorcycles and traveling. He was a member of Providence United Methodist Church where he served in the choir for many years and was active in the Adult Sunday School Class, the United Methodist men and the Administrative Council. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Steve, and a sister, Phyllis. In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by a sister, Billie Atwood (Ray) of South Carolina and a brother, Gene Hershal Howard (Monica) of Mount Holly, NC and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM Saturday (Oct 11) at Providence United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life Service will follow on Saturday at 11 AM, conducted by Rev. Aldana W. Allen. Burial will be at 10: AM Tuesday, October 14, at the U.S. National Cemetery, Statesville Blvd Location. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Providence United Methodist Church, 6450 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Howard family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Grady William Howard

November 14, 1937 - October 8, 2014