Paul Blackwell Conway peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 4, 2022. Paul was a loving husband, father, friend, grandfather, and great grandfather, and he lived a life filled with music, which he shared with all who knew him. Upon his retirement from an exemplary musical career just ten years ago, Paul reflected, “Therefore we wish for continued blessings and successes to all as we go forward. ‘I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being’ (Psalm 104:33 KJV).”
Paul was born on June 23, 1932 in the town of Robersonville, North Carolina. He lived with his family in Greenville, North Carolina, attended Rose High School where he played football and earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. Paul attended Duke University on a full scholarship proffered by the United States Navy. He played on Duke’s football team and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While at Duke, Paul also participated in many musical organizations, including the Chapel Choir and the Glee Club, where he served with distinction and became student director of the Choir. He was a member of the Concert Band, The Marching Band, Shoe n Slipper, Hoof and Horn, and F.A.C.
Upon graduation from Duke in 1954 with a degree in economics, he entered the United States Navy as a commissioned officer (Lieutenant), serving his country for more than five years as a carrier-based jet fighter pilot in the immediate post-Korean Conflict years. During the Cold War period he was once scrambled from his carrier by the threat of a Russian bomber with orders to search for and potentially shoot a Russian bomber over the Mediterranean. Tensions were so high that if the bomber was taken out, it could have started WWIII. He was also called upon to be the solo jet to do a low flyover, rolling salute during a visit by President Eisenhower. He became an instructor at the Naval Air Station Key West where he taught new pilots night, instrument, all weather, rocket rated, carrier pilots.
Paul settled in Raleigh, NC and began a 37-year career as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith. In addition to traditional wealth management, he was well-known as the go-to expert in commodities.
Paul was a member of The Society of the Cincinnati in Virginia and The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, where he served as its Chaplain for many years.
Paul served as the Director of Music Ministry for Hillyer Memorial Christian Church for 50 years. In addition to the regular Sunday music, he founded the Hillyer Community Chorus which included 75 singers and presented two major works each year together with a professional orchestra and accomplished soloists. The Community Chorus performed many United States premiers of works by major composers. Paul and the chorus were recognized by the City of Raleigh with the Raleigh Medal of Arts award. Additionally, he conducted barbershop singing groups in Raleigh and Pinehurst for many years. On January 22, 2012, the NC Governor awarded Paul the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his accomplishments and service to the community.
Paul’s passion for music was evident to all who knew him. He was dedicated to recruiting choir members, teaching everyone of all ages to appreciate, grow in their knowledge, ability and love of music, and he especially loved singing with friends and family. When he retired as the Director of Music at Hillyer he wrote, “As I worship our Lord and contemplate the text of our hymns and anthems, the emotional impact overwhelms me almost every Sunday now-so that I often find myself unable to continue singing.”
Paul is survived by his wife Johnnie Williams Conway, his son Paul (Page) Conway, Jr. of Raleigh, his daughter Virginia (Mike) Cornell of Leland, his daughter Elizabeth (Don) Swaim of Greensboro, his daughter Catherine (Ken) Miller of Raleigh, his son Stephen (Hope) Conway of Wilmington, 14 grandchildren (Russell, Alexandria, Alyssa, Angela, Paul III, Trey, Ken, Steve, Alexander, Shawen, Wells, Christian, Della and Parson), five great grandchildren (Eva, Charlee, Caius, Raegan, and Clay) and many nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his father Eustace Robinson Conway, Jr., his mother Virginia Blackwell Conway, his brother Eustace Robinson Conway III, and his sister Martha Conway Fliedner.
A celebration of Paul’s life and service of Christian Burial will be held at Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, 718 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 on February 14th, at 11am. The interment at Oakwood Cemetery will be a private service for the immediate family. There will be a visitation at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on Sunday the 13th from 2:00 to 3:30 located at 300 St. Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
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