Howard Osler Woltz, Jr

Mr. Howard Osler Woltz, Jr. died Sunday, January 2, 2011. He was born April 2, 1925, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, to Louise Elliott and Howard Osler Woltz, Sr.

He graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1942 and received his degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1948. While at the University of Virginia, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Delta Phi. He served as President of the Inter-fraternity Council, President of the Student Council and was a Member of the Honor Committee.

He practiced law in Mount Airy from 1948 until 1954.

In 1953, Mr. Woltz entered the concrete block business which was the predecessor of Insteel Industries, Inc. Under his stewardship Insteel achieved national prominence as a supplier of reinforcing materials for the construction industry. He held numerous industry leadership positions and his accomplishments were recognized by his peers on a national level. In Woltz's words, he believed "in making a better world, in addition to making a living." Over the course of his life he consistently contributed to his community and took genuine interest in the welfare of other people.

Mr. Woltz was an organizer and former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Surry Community College, former chairman of the Mount Airy/Surry County Airport Authority, and a founder and former president of the Greater Mount Airy United Fund. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of Raven Knob Boy Scout Reservation, an organizer of hospice services in Surry County and a founder of The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Mr. Woltz was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church, having served in numerous leadership capacities over the last 60 years. His contribution to the community was acknowledged in 1991 when he was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Mount Airy.

When asked recently by his granddaughter, Bessie Rose, to name his greatest accomplishment, Woltz stated he was especially proud of the loving relationship shared by his children and their children.

Woltz was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Moore Woltz, and his brother, John Elliott Woltz, Sr. He is survived by four children: Louise Woltz of Wilmington, Joanie Robins and her husband, Randy, of Richmond, VA, H Woltz and his wife, Agnes, of Mount Airy, and Ed Woltz and his wife, Ellen, of Mount Airy. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Rand Robins of Washington, DC, Spotty Robins and Berkeley Robins of Richmond, VA, Louise Woltz Smith of Richmond, VA, Parker Woltz of Atlanta, GA, Charlotte Woltz of New York City, and Reddin Woltz of Mount Airy, Moore, Osler, Bessie Rose Woltz, of Mount Airy, Jay Hull of Beijing, China, Will Hull of Charleston, SC and Teddy Hull of Mount Airy. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Pat Woltz of Mount Airy; and a brother-in-law, Jack Moore and his wife, Julie, of Mount Airy.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at Central United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, with family visitation at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Jackie Page and Glenda Kolbe, and the staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassion and loyalty.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, Central United Methodist Church, or The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.