William Elbert "Bill" Greene, 32° KCCH, was born to Elster and Zera Triplett Greene on September 3, 1933. The youngest of four children, he was born in Coshocton, Ohio. The family had moved there so Elster could begin farming the rich soils of Ohio. Due to the hardships of the Great Depression, the family returned to NC shortly after Bill was born, where he lived out the rest of his life in the Stony Fork community of Watauga County. There, he reared his three daughters, Kathy, Karen, and Darlene. Bill was brother to Elster Howell (Hal) Greene and Mary Sue Greene Watkins. He was preceded in death by his father Elster Howell, Sr and brother, Max Gardner Greene.
After graduation in 1951 from Mt Pleasant High School in Ferguson, NC, he attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School in Nashville, TN. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became a mechanic working on all types of vehicles, including jets. Although his enlistment was during the Korean conflict, he never had to see combat. His last duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Tx. After returning to Boone, he started working at Winkler Motor Company. In 1962, he took a job with the NC Department of Transportation. In 1972, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor over Watauga, Avery and Caldwell Counties. He would be forced to take an early disability retirement shortly before his untimely death at the age of 47, on February 4, 1981. His mechanic abilities were well known throughout the state and many people would allow only him to work on their vehicles. Even strangers passing on the 421 mountain received his help, for which he never wanted payment.
Having accepted Christ as his Savior, Bill was a life-long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. His love of the Lord was evident in his character, good heart, and treatment of people. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 in Deep Gap, NC. He was Initiated on January 26, 1955, Passed on February 2, 1955, and Raised on February 5, 1955, while on leave from the USAF. He was also an honorary member of Snow Lodge # 363 in Boone, NC. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in North Wilkesboro, NC, member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite having been given the degree of 32° Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH). At the time of his death, he was also Worthy Patron of Mt Pleasant #67 Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in instruction of new members and spent many hours helping them learn their degree work. He often told his daughters "if you ever are in a strange place and need help, just ask for a Mason". Bill was also a member of The American Legion Post 130 in Boone, NC.
Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved to play practical jokes on family and friends. His infectious laughter would resonate throughout the room. One of his best-loved jokes included the use of a "laughing box" played over the phone at various hours of the day and night to those who needed a good dose of fun. He loved children and they gravitated to him. Although he never got to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, he had five of them, William Elbert "Bill" Jones, Joshua Brant McMillan, Kenneth Howell Bowen, Kinsey Elizabeth Bowen, and William Nicholas Caudill. His love and laughter, mechanical abilities and the Masonic heritage lives on through them.
His funeral services were attended by hundreds of people from several states. The family received friends on Friday, February 6th from 5:30 until well after 11:00 pm. Many stood in line to pay tribute to Bill and support his family. On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am, the sanctuary of Stony Fork Baptist Church was full with standing room only and even spilling out into the porch, stairs, and sidewalk of the church for his funeral service. The Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Bill Warren officiated the service. His Masonic graveside service was attended by men representing numerous lodges that Bill had sat in. The outpouring of love and support given to his family was proof of the fine man Bill was. In Volume 1 of the Watauga County Heritage, the memorial tribute to him states "He was never too busy to help someone with car trouble, plow a neighbor's garden, or take time to be friends with a child".
After graduation in 1951 from Mt Pleasant High School in Ferguson, NC, he attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School in Nashville, TN. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became a mechanic working on all types of vehicles, including jets. Although his enlistment was during the Korean conflict, he never had to see combat. His last duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Tx. After returning to Boone, he started working at Winkler Motor Company. In 1962, he took a job with the NC Department of Transportation. In 1972, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor over Watauga, Avery and Caldwell Counties. He would be forced to take an early disability retirement shortly before his untimely death at the age of 47, on February 4, 1981. His mechanic abilities were well known throughout the state and many people would allow only him to work on their vehicles. Even strangers passing on the 421 mountain received his help, for which he never wanted payment.
Having accepted Christ as his Savior, Bill was a life-long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. His love of the Lord was evident in his character, good heart, and treatment of people. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 in Deep Gap, NC. He was Initiated on January 26, 1955, Passed on February 2, 1955, and Raised on February 5, 1955, while on leave from the USAF. He was also an honorary member of Snow Lodge # 363 in Boone, NC. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in North Wilkesboro, NC, member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite having been given the degree of 32° Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH). At the time of his death, he was also Worthy Patron of Mt Pleasant #67 Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in instruction of new members and spent many hours helping them learn their degree work. He often told his daughters "if you ever are in a strange place and need help, just ask for a Mason". Bill was also a member of The American Legion Post 130 in Boone, NC.
Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved to play practical jokes on family and friends. His infectious laughter would resonate throughout the room. One of his best-loved jokes included the use of a "laughing box" played over the phone at various hours of the day and night to those who needed a good dose of fun. He loved children and they gravitated to him. Although he never got to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, he had five of them, William Elbert "Bill" Jones, Joshua Brant McMillan, Kenneth Howell Bowen, Kinsey Elizabeth Bowen, and William Nicholas Caudill. His love and laughter, mechanical abilities and the Masonic heritage lives on through them.
His funeral services were attended by hundreds of people from several states. The family received friends on Friday, February 6th from 5:30 until well after 11:00 pm. Many stood in line to pay tribute to Bill and support his family. On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am, the sanctuary of Stony Fork Baptist Church was full with standing room only and even spilling out into the porch, stairs, and sidewalk of the church for his funeral service. The Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Bill Warren officiated the service. His Masonic graveside service was attended by men representing numerous lodges that Bill had sat in. The outpouring of love and support given to his family was proof of the fine man Bill was. In Volume 1 of the Watauga County Heritage, the memorial tribute to him states "He was never too busy to help someone with car trouble, plow a neighbor's garden, or take time to be friends with a child".
William Elbert "Bill" Greene, 32° KCCH, was born to Elster and Zera Triplett Greene on September 3, 1933. The youngest of four children, he was born in Coshocton, Ohio. The family had moved there so Elster could begin farming the rich soils of Ohio. Due to the hardships of the Great Depression, the family returned to NC shortly after Bill was born, where he lived out the rest of his life in the Stony Fork community of Watauga County. There, he reared his three daughters, Kathy, Karen, and Darlene. Bill was brother to Elster Howell (Hal) Greene and Mary Sue Greene Watkins. He was preceded in death by his father Elster Howell, Sr and brother, Max Gardner Greene.
After graduation in 1951 from Mt Pleasant High School in Ferguson, NC, he attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School in Nashville, TN. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became a mechanic working on all types of vehicles, including jets. Although his enlistment was during the Korean conflict, he never had to see combat. His last duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Tx. After returning to Boone, he started working at Winkler Motor Company. In 1962, he took a job with the NC Department of Transportation. In 1972, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor over Watauga, Avery and Caldwell Counties. He would be forced to take an early disability retirement shortly before his untimely death at the age of 47, on February 4, 1981. His mechanic abilities were well known throughout the state and many people would allow only him to work on their vehicles. Even strangers passing on the 421 mountain received his help, for which he never wanted payment.
Having accepted Christ as his Savior, Bill was a life-long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. His love of the Lord was evident in his character, good heart, and treatment of people. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 in Deep Gap, NC. He was Initiated on January 26, 1955, Passed on February 2, 1955, and Raised on February 5, 1955, while on leave from the USAF. He was also an honorary member of Snow Lodge # 363 in Boone, NC. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in North Wilkesboro, NC, member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite having been given the degree of 32° Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH). At the time of his death, he was also Worthy Patron of Mt Pleasant #67 Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in instruction of new members and spent many hours helping them learn their degree work. He often told his daughters "if you ever are in a strange place and need help, just ask for a Mason". Bill was also a member of The American Legion Post 130 in Boone, NC.
Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved to play practical jokes on family and friends. His infectious laughter would resonate throughout the room. One of his best-loved jokes included the use of a "laughing box" played over the phone at various hours of the day and night to those who needed a good dose of fun. He loved children and they gravitated to him. Although he never got to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, he had five of them, William Elbert "Bill" Jones, Joshua Brant McMillan, Kenneth Howell Bowen, Kinsey Elizabeth Bowen, and William Nicholas Caudill. His love and laughter, mechanical abilities and the Masonic heritage lives on through them.
His funeral services were attended by hundreds of people from several states. The family received friends on Friday, February 6th from 5:30 until well after 11:00 pm. Many stood in line to pay tribute to Bill and support his family. On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am, the sanctuary of Stony Fork Baptist Church was full with standing room only and even spilling out into the porch, stairs, and sidewalk of the church for his funeral service. The Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Bill Warren officiated the service. His Masonic graveside service was attended by men representing numerous lodges that Bill had sat in. The outpouring of love and support given to his family was proof of the fine man Bill was. In Volume 1 of the Watauga County Heritage, the memorial tribute to him states "He was never too busy to help someone with car trouble, plow a neighbor's garden, or take time to be friends with a child".
After graduation in 1951 from Mt Pleasant High School in Ferguson, NC, he attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School in Nashville, TN. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became a mechanic working on all types of vehicles, including jets. Although his enlistment was during the Korean conflict, he never had to see combat. His last duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Tx. After returning to Boone, he started working at Winkler Motor Company. In 1962, he took a job with the NC Department of Transportation. In 1972, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor over Watauga, Avery and Caldwell Counties. He would be forced to take an early disability retirement shortly before his untimely death at the age of 47, on February 4, 1981. His mechanic abilities were well known throughout the state and many people would allow only him to work on their vehicles. Even strangers passing on the 421 mountain received his help, for which he never wanted payment.
Having accepted Christ as his Savior, Bill was a life-long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. His love of the Lord was evident in his character, good heart, and treatment of people. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 in Deep Gap, NC. He was Initiated on January 26, 1955, Passed on February 2, 1955, and Raised on February 5, 1955, while on leave from the USAF. He was also an honorary member of Snow Lodge # 363 in Boone, NC. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in North Wilkesboro, NC, member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite having been given the degree of 32° Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH). At the time of his death, he was also Worthy Patron of Mt Pleasant #67 Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in instruction of new members and spent many hours helping them learn their degree work. He often told his daughters "if you ever are in a strange place and need help, just ask for a Mason". Bill was also a member of The American Legion Post 130 in Boone, NC.
Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved to play practical jokes on family and friends. His infectious laughter would resonate throughout the room. One of his best-loved jokes included the use of a "laughing box" played over the phone at various hours of the day and night to those who needed a good dose of fun. He loved children and they gravitated to him. Although he never got to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, he had five of them, William Elbert "Bill" Jones, Joshua Brant McMillan, Kenneth Howell Bowen, Kinsey Elizabeth Bowen, and William Nicholas Caudill. His love and laughter, mechanical abilities and the Masonic heritage lives on through them.
His funeral services were attended by hundreds of people from several states. The family received friends on Friday, February 6th from 5:30 until well after 11:00 pm. Many stood in line to pay tribute to Bill and support his family. On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am, the sanctuary of Stony Fork Baptist Church was full with standing room only and even spilling out into the porch, stairs, and sidewalk of the church for his funeral service. The Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Bill Warren officiated the service. His Masonic graveside service was attended by men representing numerous lodges that Bill had sat in. The outpouring of love and support given to his family was proof of the fine man Bill was. In Volume 1 of the Watauga County Heritage, the memorial tribute to him states "He was never too busy to help someone with car trouble, plow a neighbor's garden, or take time to be friends with a child".
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