Col. William Earl “Bill” Lewis, 85, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2013 in Thomasville, N.C. Bill was born in Thomasville, Georgia on January 24, 1928 to the late Vasco Earl Lewis and Bessie Alford Lewis. He graduated from Knightdale High School in 1945. Bill joined the Army and proudly served his country with 28 years of service. He also graduated from the University of Maryland. After his military service, he and his family retired in 1977 to Wake County.

Funeral Service: 3:00 pm, Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Knightdale Baptist Church, 15 Main Street, Knightdale, NC 27545.

The Lewis family will receive relatives and friends from 1:30 to 2:45pm in the Family Life Center of Knightdale Baptist Church.

Burial: New Knightdale Baptist Church Cemetery, Mailman Road, Knightdale, NC.

Surviving: wife of 61 years, Mary Frances Conyers Lewis; children, Carol L. Purcell (William) of Reedville, Va., Gail L. Alley (Jim) of Rocky Mount, Cheryl L. Massengill (Lloyd) of Brentwood, TN, Bill Lewis Jr. (Ruth Ann) of Wake Forest, John Lewis (Frances) of Raleigh; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert Lewis, Curtis Lewis, sisters, Frances Cooke, Janet Hardee, Faye Hurst, Lyn Troxler; host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by his sisters, Doris Poole and Evelyn Godley and brother, Stan Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Knightdale Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 21, Knightdale, NC 27545. Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.