Obituary of William Anthony Howell

William Anthony Howell, age 26, of Roby Greene Road, Boone, passed away Sunday morning, December 11, 2016 Duke Medical Center in Durham after a courageous battle with cystic fibrosis and a double lung transplant operation in January, 2013. Anthony was born November 7, 1990 in Boone to Shelley Winebarger Huggins and the late Trey Howell. He was a graduate of Watauga High School and attended Caldwell Community College. Before becoming disabled, he was employed at Back Yard Burgers. According to Ashlyn, her brother was adventurous, compassionate, and loved to watch movies with his little sister. Anthony was an avid hunter and fisherman, always enjoyed reading a good book, and loved conversation with everyone. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Shelley and Jerry Huggins of Boone; sister, Ashlyn Isaacs and favorite niece, Nadia Galicia, of Boone; grandfather, Butch Howell and wife, Maggie, of West Jefferson; grandmother, Kathy Howell of Boone; aunt, Dorothy Dancy and husband, James, of Vilas; and uncles, Dustin Howell of Vero Beach, Florida, Michael Howell of West Jefferson, and Vick Winebarger and wife, Angela, of Clover, SC. Numerous special cousins and many friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Trey; maternal grandparents, Victor and Donna Winebarger; and his uncle, Jerry Winebarger. Funeral services for Anthony Howell will be conducted Sunday afternoon, December 18, 2016 at 2:30 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Tim Roten. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 until 2:30, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Austin & Barnes to assist with expenses. Online condolences may be shared at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving Anthonys family.