Perhaps a moment of God's providence, the Sunday, April 6th anthem performed at First Baptist Raleigh was "Called Home to Heaven," an anthem the Music Made in Heaven handbell choir chimed for his beloved church community only hours after our precious husband, father, and grandfather Billy Gray Lewis had taken his last earthly breaths. Living nearly ninety years, with more than a decade of those spent with dementia slowly stealing him away from us, Bill (or “Poppy” as he was known to his grandsons) was beloved by his family, friends, and former clients.

Billy Gray Lewis was born August 18,1935 in Pilot, NC to Lenora Strickland Lewis and Earlie Roosevelt Lewis. He grew up working the family farm as so many did in his community, but loved to tell the story of the traveling salesman who came through town sharply dressed in a suit and deciding that day he wanted a job that involved traveling and dressing to the nines.

He found his career path in floor covering, beginning as an installer, and ultimately as a representative of commercial carpet mills with territory throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He loved nothing more than his daily ritual of shining his shoes, tying his tie, grabbing his suit jacket, and hopping in his freshly washed Buick with a hot cup of coffee to drive down east or down south to visit his clients and show them the latest and greatest carpet samples for their upcoming projects. He was a story-teller and loved to meet new people, and this career gave him the freedom to do both.

This same love of people led to his role of head usher for many years at First Baptist Raleigh – a position that highlighted his ability to engage with people from all walks of life. He had a story, a smile, a hug, and usually a Werther’s original ready for anyone who came through the sanctuary doors of First Baptist Raleigh. He made sure that everyone had a seat and felt welcomed into the arms of the congregation.

While he loved all people, he loved HIS people the most. His wife of nearly 60 years, Betty, did everything possible to make his wish to stay home through the end possible. He was exceedingly proud of his children, Gray and Helen, and considered them his greatest accomplishments in life. Adding to his joy over the years, he was happy to have a son-in-law, Kevin and two grandsons, Henry and Griffin who loved to travel with Poppy as it always meant an extra ice cream stop for everyone.

While these most recent years have not been an easy journey on our family, it has been a journey we have all taken together to manage the caregiving load while loving our dad/husband/Poppy through to the end, when he was “Called Home to Heaven.”

PS: for those who knew his more mischievous side, if you lived in Pilot in the late 40’s and remembered an unexplained explosion of dynamite, he and his buddies used a long fuse that gave them time to light it and then be back in front of the general store before the explosion occurred. We’ll sure miss that twinkle in his eye as he spun a story from his wilder days.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00am Friday, April 11th, 2025 at First Baptist Church Raleigh, 99 N. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27603. The family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to First Baptist Raleigh in memory of Bill Lewis, who wanted to be remembered by all as a "good friend."