Obituary of Billy Wayne McGrew

Billy Wayne McGrew, age 79, of Old Mountain Road, Banner Elk, passed Monday evening, January 6, 2020 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem. Bill was born in Monette, Arkansas on December 25th, 1940 to Fred and Mabel McGrew. He joined the US Navy at the age of 17. After serving, he moved to North Carolina where he met and married Ellen Presnell. Bill was a member of Presnell's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. He spent many hours helping build the building where they meet. He was a retired member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 421 where he worked for more than 50 years. His work often took him far from home, but this was a sacrifice he was willing to make in order to provide a good life for his wife and daughters. Bill was the most dedicated husband and father. In recent years, he devoted his life to caring for his wife, Ellen, of 57 years Mr. McGrew is survived by his wife, Julia Ellen Presnell McGrew; daughters, Billie Proctor and husband, Ed, of Tarboro, Melinda Whitmire and husband, Scott, of Easley, SC, Reita Pearson and husband, Johnny, of Banner Elk, and Susie Hepler and husband, Raymond, of Lexington; a sister, Debbie Wagner of Hawaii; a brother, James Hicks of Pound, VA; grandchildren, Aaron and Cameron Effoe, both of Lexington, KY, Silas and Joanna Whitmire, both of Easley, SC, Noah Pearson of Banner Elk, Calvin and Ellie Hepler, both of Lexington. A number of nieces and nephews also survive, including a very special niece, Deanna Atwood and husband, Kevin. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bob McGrew, Roy McGrew, Duane Roberson, and a sister Peggy Genova. Funeral services for Billy Wayne McGrew will be conducted Thursday morning, January 9th, at 11 o'clock at Presnells Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, Old Mountain Road, Banner Elk. Elder John Jackson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services will follow in the Presnell Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Presnells Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, in care of Elder John Jackson, 1103 Tom Jackson Rd., Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the McGraw family.