Billy Harrell

Published 10:50 am Thursday, December 19, 2024

AHOSKIE, NC – William Lee “Billy” Harrell, a beloved sports enthusiast and dedicated sports writer, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, at Ahoskie Health and Rehabilitation in Hertford County, North Carolina, just shy of his 70th birthday.

Born on December 19, 1954 in Gates County, North Carolina, Billy was a lifelong resident of the Roanoke-Chowan area, where he passionately followed and chronicled local sports.

Billy spent many years as a sports writer for the Roanoke Chowan News Herald, where his love for the Hertford County Bears and American Legion Baseball, Post 102, was vividly expressed through his writing. An avid sports fan, he was often found in the baseball press box, football stands, or bleachers in the gym, always cheering for and defending his beloved Bears. Billy’s love for sports and commitment to his community will be missed by all who knew him.

Preceded in death by his parents, William T. Harrell and Mary Pierce Harrell, Billy’s memory will be cherished by his surviving family, including his sister Linda Brown and her husband Bucky of Windsor; his brother John Harrell and his wife Carolyn of Ahoskie; nieces, Crystal Harrell and Christie Brown and her wife Katie; nephews, Zeek Williams and his wife Alyssa and David Brown and his wife Caitlin; and great-nieces and nephews; Macie Williams, Carter Brown, Elizabeth Edwards, Gracelyn Williams.

The family received friends on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Ahoskie.

A celebration of Billy’s life took place at a graveside service on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorial donations be made in Billy’s honor directly to Hertford County High School Athletic Department, 1500 West 1st Street, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online or directly to American Legion Baseball, Post 102, PO Box 177, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online.

The Harrell family entrusted the arrangements to Garrett~Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.com.