Walter Harvard Howerton Sr., 91, died Friday, November 14, 2014, at The Brian Center in Eden, NC.
A Graveside service was held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 22, at Hines Chapel Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne A. Johnson officiating.
Mr. Howerton was born April 7, 1923, in Guilford County, NC, a son of the late Walter H. and Lena Shepherd Howerton and was a long-time resident of Greensboro, NC.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 5th Army in Africa and Italy. Mr. Howerton was formerly employed at Kroger and Goodwin Ruling Company. He spent 40 years serving in every aspect of Boy and Girl Scouting, receiving the Silver Beaver for Boy Scouting, the highest award given. He was recognized by Guilford County for “outstanding services to fellow citizens of the county.” Mr. Howerton was active in numerous church youth programs, was a Little League baseball coach, the cofounder of TOYS, and the founder of many youth programs in Greensboro.
He had a passion for sharing and preserving history, which included his countless hours of working with the historian on the Glenwood Neighborhood History Project and numerous school presentations. Mr. Howerton was a member of Glenwood Presbyterian Church.
He was in White Sulphur Springs, WV, during the former Ashford General Hospital (The Greenbrier) during World War II, where his wife would visit him periodically. They both loved White Sulphur Springs, and they would visit the town every few years when they could. When the annual Dandelion Festival started, they came every year. When his wife passed away six years ago, his daughter, Ann, or his son, Walter Jr., continued to bring him every year, and he always tried to make it a point to see all of his friends and make new ones. He had an outgoing personality and will certainly be missed at the Dandelion Festival.
Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were his wife, of 63 years, Nell Barnes Howerton; his son, John N. Howerton; and a sister, Beverly H. Higgins.
Survivors include his children, Walter H. Howerton Jr. and wife, Dauna, of Santa Fe, NM, Rebecca Ann Shultz and husband, Kenneth, of Neosho, MO, and Timothy L. “Howie” Howerton and wife, Kristie, of Eden; daughter-in-law, Alicia Howerton of Naples, FL; grandchildren raised as his own, Ruth Ann Luck and husband, Mark, of Ponchatoula, LA, and Timothy L. Howerton and wife, Gina, of Saco, ME; one brother, Carlton S. Howerton of Greensboro; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends at Forbis and Dick Funeral Home on Elm Street from 6-8 PM on Friday, November 21, 2014, and other times at the home of his son in Eden.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial contributions be made to Trinity Wesleyan Church, 186 E. Aiken Road, Eden, NC 27288.
Information submitted by Shanklin Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs.
Obituary originally published in the December 10, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
