Billy W. Needham

The service for Mr. Needham will take place at Moody Funeral Service Chapel in Mount Airy.  The service will NOT take place at the cemetery.

Mr. Billy W. (Bill) Needham, 89, well know pharmacist in the Mt. Airy and Pilot Mountain communities, passed away July 21, 2022, following several years of declining health.  Bill was born February 8, 1933, to Carl L. and Pearl Wright Needham.  He graduated from Pilot Mountain High School with honors and received his Pharmacy degree from the North Carolina School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill, NC.  While in college, he worked weekends at Pilot Mountain Drug under the guidance of Pharmacist Robert Cox.  Following graduation Bill worked for Lamm Drug for 13 years and then Hollingsworth Drug when it opened in Mayberry Mall.  Bill was well known to many as a pharmacist and a friend during his 32 years at Square Pharmacy in Mt. Airy.  Bill was very active in the Mt. Airy Elks Lodge #2061 including serving as Exalted Ruler in 1972-73.  He was also honored by being named as Elks Lifetime Member.  Additionally, Bill was past President of the Surry County Pharmacist Association.  Bill was a family man proudly supporting his sons Bill and Doug during their high school baseball and basketball years, and later his grandson baseball and basketball teams.  Bill was an avid Tarheel basketball and football fan and was a member of the Carolina Alumni Association.  His favorite pastime was watching NASCAR racing and listening to classic “big band” music.  Glenn Miller and Dorsey Brothers were some of his favorites along with singers Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong.  He was a Thunderbird car enthusiast.  He owned several and restored his 1965, Carolina Blue Thunderbird.  As Bill’s health failed, and he was confined to the home, he enjoyed the TV show Gunsmoke.  He especially enjoyed the old Andy Griffith shows since he was acquainted with Andy Griffith’s parents.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Carl L. Needham, Jr.  Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane Covington Needham, two sons, Carl William (Ginger) Needham of Calabash, NC and Raymond Douglas (Tammy) Needham of Mt. Airy, NC.  He is also survived by three grandchildren, Brandon (Carmel) Needham of Charleston, SC, Nicholas Needham of Chapel Hill, NC, and Logan (Miranda) Needham of Asheville, NC.  Additionally, he is survived by a step-grandson Brandon Sawyers of Mt. Airy.  Special thank you goes to Bill’s caregivers Beth Freeman, RN, Crystal Fields, CNA, and Mike Fields as well as social worker Rev. Joe Smith.  Additionally, much appreciation is expressed to the many friends and neighbors for their visits, support, and acts of kindness.  A graveside service will be held at the Pilot Mountain City Cemetery on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, with Rev. Joe Smith officiating.  Visitation will be at Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy Tuesday from 12:30 -1:30 pm prior to leaving for the service.  The family requests memorials be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 1427 Edgewood Drive, Mt. Airy, NC 27030.  Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.