William Henry Batts Jr.

Born: July 3, 1937 Wilson, NC
Married: Brenda Forrest Brown on March 24, 1962, in Birmingham, AL
Married: Helen Louise Rogers Parrish on Nov. 3, 1990, in Cary, NC
Married: Jacqueline Lewis on June 6, 2007, in NC

William "Bill" Henry Batts Jr., born on July 3, 1937, in Wilson, North Carolina, was the eldest child of William and Eva Vazelle Stancil Batts. His early childhood memories included playing with neighborhood children, notably twin boys next door and Jacqueline Lewis, who would later become his third wife.

Bill attended Margaret Herne Elementary School and Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson, graduating in 1955. He excelled in mathematics, benefiting from Mrs. Eleanor Liles's teaching for three years, and worked part-time during high school.

After graduating, Bill received an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy in 1959. His early assignments included serving aboard the USS Wallace L. Lind (DD703) based in Norfolk, Virginia. He also attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME). A favorite duty was serving as Engineer Officer aboard the USS Springfield (CLG7), also based in Norfolk.

While at the Naval Academy, Bill met Brenda Forrest Brown from Birmingham, Alabama, on a blind date. Brenda, born on June 12, 1939, to Walter and Omar Middleton Brown, had attended Auburn University for two years. Bill and Brenda married on March 24, 1962, in Birmingham, Alabama, and honeymooned in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They had three children: Claire Suzanne, born March 30, 1963, in Norfolk, Virginia; David Henry, born in 1965 in Idaho; and William Timothy, born October 10, 1966, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Bill retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1980, after serving from June 3, 1959. His commissioned service included time on the USS Wallace L. Lind, USS Springfield, USS Cone, and USS Vulcan, as well as various shore duty assignments. Upon retirement, he moved back to North Carolina.

Tragically, Brenda developed breast cancer and passed away on July 13, 1989, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bill met Helen Louise Rogers when a mutual friend introduced them. She was working at the DMV. Helen was from Garner and grew up on a farm.

Helen, born October 3, 1940, in Wake, North Carolina, passed away on July 15, 2014, and was buried in Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bill later reconnected with his high school classmate, Jacqueline "Jackie" Lewis, at a Charles L. Coon High School Reunion. Jackie, born on July 10, 1937, had attended Atlantic Christian College and Meredith College, graduating with a BS degree.

Bill maintains strong family ties, regularly attending the annual Stancil Reunions. He credited his mother as the greatest influence in his life, striving to emulate her goodness. He visited his cousin Georgeanne Stancil Schore in Ocala, Florida, on April 12, 2014, and returned for her funeral following her passing on May 28, 2014.

Bill faced profound personal losses in his later years with the passing of his son, Timothy, on March 26, 2017, in Durham, following a battle with cancer, and his daughter, Claire, on November 4, 2021.