William Ross Allen Sr.

Bill Allen, youngest son of A. T. Allen, Sr. and Lillian Bell Potter Allen, died on March 4, 2016 at The Oaks at Mayview. Affectionately known as “Uncle Bill” and “Uncle Willy” to family and friends. He lived at Independence Village for many years, was a Raleigh native, and a proud member of Needham B. Broughton High School’s graduating Class of 1942. From 1943 to 1946 he served in the U. S. Navy as a member of the 1943 Blue Jackets Choir at the US National Training Center, Great Lakes, ILL then as a Radarman on the USS Chloris (ARV (E) 4). After returning to Raleigh he joined the family firm of A. T. Allen & Company, CPA’s and worked there until his retirement. Favorite hobbies were music, gardening, camping in the NC mountains, trips to Atlantic Beach, working alongside his wife/educator Helena Williams Allen in Meredith College’s faculty/student activities and traveling to visit their son, William Ross Allen, Jr. He was a member of The Grassroots Opera Company traveling throughout North Carolina introducing school children to musical operas sung only in English. As a proud cast member he sang tenor roles in Raleigh and across North Carolina for many years.

Surviving is son, William Ross Allen, Jr. of Bengaluru, India and San Jose, CA. and nephews: A. T. Allen, III (Susan Sams Allen) of Raleigh, James A. Allen, Jr. (Karen G. Allen) of Clarksville VA and David Lloyd Allen of Raleigh and nieces: Rose Allen Dail (Tony Dixon Dail) of Ayden NC, and Susan Allen Tenney (Brian H. Tenney) of Raleigh along with grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews.

Predeceasing family members were wife, Helena Williams Allen, parents Augustus Thomas Allen, Sr. and Lillian Bell Potter Allen, his oldest brother Augustus Thomas Allen, Jr. and wife, Mary Ellen Parker Allen, and brother James A. Allen, Sr. and wife, Flora “Bootsie” Coyle Allen.

The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the doctors and nurses for their care during these last months. A graveside service is planned for Monday, March 21, 2016 at Montlawn Memorial Park at 10:30 A.M. A reception for friends and family will follow at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church’s Finlator Hall (1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27605).

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County), 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC 27607, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.