Our sweet Papa, Billy Crowder, passed away July 4, 2015. He was 88 years young. God saw he was getting tired so he reached down and gently caressed him into his loving arms and took him home.

Papa proudly served the military in World War II. He was employed with Southern Bell and retired with 30 years of dedicated service. But Papa's greatest love was serving his lord and savior. He was a true servant of God and worked tirelessly for his church, Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness, for over 60 years. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a deacon. He was also a lay minister and preached at many churches in the state of North Carolina.

Papa loved to fish and hunt. Some of his favorite times were spent at the Hunting Club with his grandson Don, the one Papa called his best buddy. But he got more enjoyment out of helping others than anything. Papa was just a phone call away for family and friends. He would drop whatever it was he was doing and would be there for you, whatever your need. When he retired, in amazement to all of his family, he mastered the art of cooking homemade biscuits, peanut brittle, pound cakes and deep fried crappy. He took pride in his garden that he planted every summer and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with others.

Papa adored his wife, Lucille Pait Crowder, cherished his children Bill Crowder and wife Faith, Beverly Crowder and Sharon Brown, his grandchildren Garette Wilson and wife Denise, Jacksonville, Fl., Keith Crowder and wife Joanne, Apex, NC, and Don Brown, Coats, NC, and great grandchildren, Isaac and Isabella Crowder, Apex, NC. He is also survived by his brothers, Larry Crowder and wife Pat of Raleigh, NC, Tommy Crowder and wife Gwen of Cary, NC, sister, Dorothy Crawford of Fort Lauderdale, Fl., many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Gary Crowder, his mother and father, Willie G. and Lula Crowder, brothers, Roy Crowder and Benny Crowder and sister, Helen Gournas.

He was the rock of our family. Our lives will never be the same without the presence of our Papa but we delight in knowing that he is with his heavenly Father, healthy again, walking on the streets of gold. We imagine that he ran into Jesus' arms.

Our Papa's advise to all that do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior would be "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord".

A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness, 521 Polk St, Raleigh, NC 27604. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. The Family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Montlawn Funeral Home.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC. Condolences can be made through this online guestbook.