Billy Joe Caroway

Billy Joe Caroway, 88, of Morganton passed away peacefully at his residence Friday, December 1, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Bill was born in Celo, NC, April 23, 1935, to the late Eulas and Carrie Robinson Caroway. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Janice Coffey Caroway.

Bill grew up in Morganton and graduated from Morganton High School. He excelled and lettered in three sports – basketball, football, and track. After serving 2 years in the U.S. Army, he attended Appalachian State Teachers College, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Appalachian, Bill played basketball for the Mountaineers for 3 years. He began his teaching career at Stratford Junior High School and Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. In 1963, he returned to Morganton to take the helm as head basketball coach for the Morganton High School Wildcats and to teach physical education and science. In 1973, he earned a master’s degree in administration from Appalachian State University and began his 16-year career as principal at Morganton Junior High School. Bill was then named principal of Liberty Middle School and later was appointed Director of Drivers Education for Burke County Public Schools.

Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed tying his own flies. He also enjoyed coaching, attending Freedom High School basketball and football games, and watching the Carolina Tarheels. Above all, Bill’s family was his greatest pride and joy. He never missed an opportunity to attend his children or grandchildren’s events and celebrate their successes.

Bill was a faithful Christian servant who taught Sunday School for a number of years at First Baptist Church, Morganton. He was loving, kind, selfless, endlessly entertaining, and a forever faithful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his children Deborah McCurry (Jim), Angela Williams (Scott), Traci Riebel (Buddy); grandchildren Andrew Lowdermilk (Eleanor), Patrick Lowdermilk, Jordan Williams Brown (Hunter), Matthew Williams (Bailey), Connor Williams, Katie Riebel, and great-grandchildren Lenoir Lowdermilk and Virginia Mae Lowdermilk.

A celebration of life service will be held at First Baptist Church Morganton on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 3:00 pm. Military honors will be provided by the NC National Guard. The receiving of friends will be prior to the service from 1:30 pm-3:00 pm in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church Morganton, 502 West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

The Caroway family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Catawba Valley Medical Services, Carolina Caring, and a loving group of caregivers that provided excellent care to Bill at his home.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.