William S. Howell

July 2, 1923 – Feb.3, 2011 SOUTH BEND — Mr. William Howell, 87, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2011, in Houston, TX. William was born on July 2, 1923, to Lee and Lillie (Harris) Howell in Duluth, GA.Willie grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from Central High School.

He joined the Coast Guard and received numerous awards such as The Atlantic War Zone Medal, The Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Medal, The Merchant Marine Combat Medal and the Merchant Marine Emblem.William worked on the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, on the ships as an electrician.He traveled all over the world. When he returned home he worked for Studebaker and Jones Electric Company.He branched out and started Howell Electric Company, the second black-owned electric company for over 40 years.William also worked for Notre Dame University as an usher for over 20 years.He was very fond of Notre Dame. He was a member of the Shriners’No.134 and was a Mason.He was also a member of the 1st AME Zion Church, South Bend, IN.

He was married to Annie Catherine (Rich) Howell and from this union they had one child, Kenneth Ray Howell.

He was well- known and loved in the community as “Uncle Willie.” Preceding him in death were his parents, Lee and Lillie Howell; brothers, Charles Howell, Rufus Howell and Carl Anderson; sisters, Bobbie Durant and Hattie Harris; brother-in- law, Robert Williams;and sister-in-law, Jane Howell.

He leaves to rejoice in his memory his wife, Catherine Howell of 56 years; only child, Kenneth Ray Howell (Marilyn); two granddaughters, Sheria Nicole (Lorenzo) Lewis and Tiki Sherell (Jonathan) Lewis; two great-grandchildren, Keaundre Lewis and Tristen Burleigh four sisters, Mamie (Tom) Taylor and Sylvia Warren of South Bend, IN, Joann (Lee) Trammel and Henrietta Williams, both of California;one brother Henry Howell of Columbus, OH; two sisters-in-law, Linda Lyons and Elizabeth Howell;and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 10, from 6 to 8 PM in Sugar Land Mortuary (281-2771818) 1818 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478.Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 11, at 11 AM in Brentwood Baptist Church, 13033 Landmark, Houston, TX 77045, Dr. Samual Ratliff with Pastor Kevin Williams officiating. Burial will follow the ceremony at Houston National Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held in South Bend, IN, at a later date

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/02/2024 EJS

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