Reverend William Carroll Norris, beloved husband of Helen Thompson Norris, died in Winston-Salem, NC on March 24, 2019, following a stroke. He was born in Simpsonville, SC to William Harold and Eunice Parrish Norris on March 4, 1935. Known as Carroll to his family, he was Bill to everyone else.
In 1953, he graduated from Simpsonville High School where he met the love of his life, Helen Thompson. Their 65-year marriage yielded 4 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Bill spent 23 years serving in the United States Air Force, retiring upon his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1976.
His Air Force career took the family to England, Okinawa and Panama as well as many U.S. states. He served in Korea and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam, but he felt it was a greater honor to serve as a deacon and leader in each church his family attended, whether it be in a converted nightclub building in Fayetteville, NC or a British-American fellowship in the family’s home in Sheringham, England, serving as a charter member of Koza Baptist Church on Okinawa or preaching to the isolated towns in the mountains of Panama in spite of not knowing the language. After he was called to preach, Bill attended and graduated from Campbell University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.
His continued love for learning led him to pursue and earn a Master of Arts degree in Old Testament Theology and Expository Preaching, with High Distinction, from Trinity Theological Seminary at the age of 80. He pastored the following churches: McKenney Baptist, McKenney, VA (1977-1978); Trinity Baptist, Benson, NC (1978-1982); Midville Baptist, Jacksonville, NC (1982-1988); Tabernacle Baptist, Raeford, NC (1988 -1997); South Fork Baptist, Winston-Salem, NC (1997 and 2002). Since retirement, teaching the JOY Sunday School class at Ardmore Baptist Church has been one of his greatest joys.
Bill was predeceased by his parents and sister, Carrie Norris. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Debra Norris of Winston-Salem, NC, Carolyn Atkins (Ken) of Granite Falls, NC, Marjorie Holland (David) of Beaufort, SC, and Laurie McBride (Russell) of Winston-Salem, NC; his grandchildren, Jimmy Atkins (Chassta), Michael Atkins (Sarah), Daniel Atkins, Rachel Bates (Tucker), William Holland, Lola McBride, and Reese McBride; his great-grandchildren, Evangelina and Rowan Atkins; his sister, Janette Collins (Butch) and his sister-in-law Dorothy McCall, both of Simpsonville, SC; as well as loving friends and colleagues, Rev. David and Charmayne McClellan.
A memorial service will be held for Bill on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 with Rev. Ty Talton and Dr. Gina M. Brock officiating. Visitation will follow the service at the church.
Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Rev. Norris.
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