Billy Lee Foutz

Billy Lee Foutz, age 91, of Lenoir passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care-Hudson. Billy was born in Rowan County on February 5, 1930 to the late Roy Pressley and Lillian Honeycutt Foutz.

Billy attended Landis High School, where he was the starting second baseman on the State championship baseball team. Billy was a devoted NC State Wolfpack fan. In addition to sports, he loved to travel and had visited every state in the country except Hawaii.

Billy was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. After high school, Billy graduated from NC State University Class of 1952 where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. Upon his return from the war, he would go on to have a successful 30+ year career with the Soil and Water Conservation Service, where he worked in the soil, and please, as Billy would tell us, never in the dirt. Never call it dirt.

In 1952 Billy married Zelma Plaster. They have three sons. He was a devoted husband, father, papaw, and great-papaw. Billy was known to have a green thumb. He had a live-cut Christmas tree farm in Rowan County long before tree farms became popular. He kept a huge vegetable garden even into his retirement as well as a beautiful flower garden at his home in Lenoir.

Billy also was strong in his faith and a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Lenoir. He served as a member of the Property Committee and spent time using his gardening skills to maintain the grounds.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 68 years, Zelma Plaster Foutz; his three sons, Richard (Denise), Tim (Karen), and Joe (Susan); four grandchildren, Alexandria Swerbinsky (Michael), James Foutz (Taylor Baxley), Rachel Foutz (Hunter Shore), and Ben Foutz; and two great-grandsons, Henry and Sam Swerbinsky.

Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery in China Grove conducted by Pastor Dan Duke and Pastor Tony Bradshaw.

Due to COVID-19 face masks and social distancing will be required.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 1406 Harper Ave NW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.linn-honeycutt.com. Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Foutz.