Wilton "Billy" Shealy Lewis Jr.

"'I was given the gift of life, and now I have to give it back."

Wilton Shealy Lewis, Jr. affectionately known as "Billy and Bill" to family and friends, was born March 4, 1956, in Leesville, SC and was lovingly adopted the next day by his parents, Wilton and Wilma Lewis. He was the apple of her eye.

Bill went home to God and joined his heavenly camping and hiking team on May 1, 2019, in Huntersville, North Carolina. He attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. He was a graduate of W. J. Keenan High School in Columbia, SC and attended the University of South Carolina where he majored in Geography. He could read a map and compass that could take you to the moon and back, and he made me feel that way about his love for me. He loved being in nature, and there's not a native plant or flower he didn't know. He and his best friend James kept a database of the plants and Bill tried to plant every plant in our tiny garden. I can see his smile and excitement every time he planted something new. That's the place we spent so many evenings and weekends together. Sometimes not talking for hours, just laughing, hugging and kissing. His favorite hobbies were camping, hiking, fly fishing, taking photographs, reading a book or maps, or listening to music. He was at his happiest when he was exposing his family and friends to the wonders of nature through their first camping trip.

I know my Honey has already started a garden and taking pictures of the most beautiful nature he has ever seen. Oh, how he will be missed by so many. He was a "'A Man Of Few Words, But Full Of Action". He volunteered to teach children how to read and helped with the recovery efforts for the victims after the hurricane flood in Prince Town, NC. Our church members could not believe in his dedication. He was a friend that you didn't need to ask for help, and he would do what he could without telling you. Most of all, he loved God. He had a way of wrapping a biblical verse around a conversation without "quoting" the bible verse. I smile now as I think of the many times, he would ask me " Who is in charge and wait on me to say, God."

Bill was employed with 3D Systems Inc. in Rock Hill, SC for many years as a Senior Financial Analyst. Bill had a good and strong work ethic and excelled in data analysis, metrics, reporting ERP conversions and system upgrades. This language may sound like alphabet soup to most, but not to Bill, his level of knowledge was sought after by his co-workers and management alike.

Bill and I met at work 35 years ago. He asked me to marry him after our second date, and we were married for 21 blissful years. He affectionately called me "Punkin," and he was my "Honey." Yes, we were that couple that held hands everywhere, and chivalry was not dead with him. He always opened doors for me, showered me with flowers, and would leave loving notes to me on our coffee pot.

Bill and I talked about how this day would go many times. Honey, I hope I didn’t forget anything. He was a loving husband, son, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving parents, Mr. Wilton Shealy and Wilma Lewis, Sr. He is survived by his wife Frances Portee Lewis of Huntersville, NC; sister Susan Lewis Simon of Gilbert, AZ; father and mother-in-law Mr. Eddie and Estelle Portee, Sr. of Columbia, SC; brother-in-law Eddie (Kelly) Portee Jr. of Spartanburg, SC; two sisters-in-law Wanda (Carlton) Newkirk of Mauldin, SC and Ms. Regina Portee of Atlanta, GA; five nieces and two nephews, Ashley, Morgan, Nicole, Danielle, Shealy, Pierre, Marshall, and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.