I've known Bill for more than 45 years and even though we had not seen as much of each other as in the good old days, I still felt his love and friendship in my heart. 

He saved my ... backside ... plenty of times when I was exercising poor judgement and for that I will be forever grateful. He was like a brother to me and a good friend to Tripp.
Tripp and I will miss you, Bill. We will see you on the other side, brother.

We are deeply saddened to learn about Bill's passing. Bill will be greatly missed by us at Snell Automotive. Bill would always come by and visit. Telling us stories about cars and his family. He was very proud of his kids and loved them very much. We pray time will heal and lighten the pain you feel. 

Bill was the best father-in-law I could’ve asked for. He always helped me out when I needed him just as he did for everyone around him. I enjoyed listening to him tell stories about how his dad encouraged him to know a little bit about everything. He did know a little something about everything and it seemed there was nothing he couldn’t fix. We also shared a love of watermelon and had many discussions about how to pick the perfect one. We had a deal that he would pick them if I would cut them. I will always think about my watermelon buddy when I eat watermelon in the future. 

My earliest memory of my father is him guiding me around as a child with me holding onto his finger. He would always guide you where to go but would let you choose your own path and make your own mistakes. He always let me work in the garage with him and would teach you anything you wanted to know. He was my mentor, business partner, and best friend. He always made sure the family had everything we needed and taught us to always help anyone in need. He not only taught me how to be a good mechanic but how to be a good person and always do right by others and stick to your word. I have been honored to get to work with him all these years and for us to get to build so many cool vehicles together. I will keep his memory alive by being just like him and continuing to take care of friends and family by being honest and helpful, just like he would have wanted. I will continue to build and restore our collection of classic cars in his honor. I couldn’t have asked for a better father and friend. 

My dad always loved spending time with family. Just being with each other and chatting was enough for him. Grateful he taught me how to fish and enjoy the day with just a sandwich and a Pepsi! 

Grandpa Bill had so much patience. The day he helped set up Dominic's swing set, it was summertime, no clouds, no wind, just hot as could be. He listened to Dominic chat all day, showed him how to use tools, and had a smile on his face all day long.  The project took double the time but Bill never got frustrated and simply enjoyed the whole day with us. I learned so much from him that day. We love you Grandpa! 

After Bill and I got divorced a miracle happened. We made a decision to put our grievances aside and do everything we could to raise our children. (Not many people can say that about their ex.) Little did we know that we would become close friends and part of each other's lifelong support system. Bill was always helpful when I needed a car, some mechanic work or advice. I always remembered him when we had extra tomatoes or steaks on the grill!

My first memory of Bill is watching cartoons in his bedroom in the basement in Camden when I was about 3 years.  Also in Camden, I would ride on his back sledding, then he went into the Army.  When Bill came back we lived in Friendship.  Then we rode the sled again and twisted newspaper to burn in the woodstove to he he garage while he worked on his old car.  Soon Bill went out on his own, but when I was around 10 he moved home for while.  He taught me how to use his stereo and play albums, he also taught me that when you clean engine parts with gasoline you can get chemical burns. When I was 16, we ended up living close enough to reconnect, that's when we figured out that I should make chocolate-oatmeal-drop-cookies and leave the wrenches to him and Mike.  At that time he helped me get my first car.  Bill always kept me riding - from that sled to my dream Celica.  Bill was the best big brother I could ever ask for! 

Nannie with Bill and David at Michael and Arleen's wedding.

Family and friends are so important to Bill.

Sharing a phot of Bill on an adventure out west.

So many memories of working on cars.  With friends, with brothers, with father, with nephew, and most specially with son.

Memories from Mom: Bill went everywhere with Papa - the radio shop, the beer joint, the pool room ... everywhere and wanted to do the things that Papa did.  When Bill was 2 years old he wanted to smoke a cigarette like his Daddy and he got sick as a dog.  Then he asked his Dad how he could smoke that.   I also remember when Bill was about 3 years old, he got angry with his Grandmother, so she packed him a little bag and let him leave, he returned about 5 minutes later.  I remember Bill convincing his Daddy to get him a lawnmower so that he could earn money to buy his first car.  Bill also picked cotton, drove the tractor on the farm when he was seven years old, and was driving a tractor for other farmers by age 9.

I'll always remember being VERY pregnant and reclining all the way in Michael's big-boy recliner.  I neglected to anticipate that I wouldn't be able to get out of the recliner.  Michael was in Hornbeak and there was no doubt who to call for help.  Bill Howard.  Bill helped everyone, but I will always remember us laughing about the fix I'd gotten myself into that day (after he helped me get out).  Bill welcomed me to the family and treated me like another sister, his love is a gift I treasure.  Arleen

Bill Howard loved to fish, he shared that love with his Grandson Dominic and Nephew Joseph.

My brother taught me how to work on cars and to fix up my first car.  Bill has always been there at every major and minor event of my life. 

Riding in his hotrod and eating reese's peanut better cups out of the console, when I was 6 or 7, is a memory I will always have.  - Michael


OBITUARY

William "Bill" Clifton Howard

July 9, 1949 – February 13, 2022

Family Funeral Care

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