William “Bill” Hill Batchelor

ROCKY MOUNT - William "Bill" Hill Batchelor, age 86, died peacefully at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on July 12, 2017, with his family at his side. He was born in Louisburg, NC on May 25, 1931 to Jim and Margaret Batchelor Simpson. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Hill of Elm City, NC. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Cox Batchelor and nephew, William "Bill" Chalker. Bill graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1947 and N.C. State University with a degree in civil engineering in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers after graduation for two years and was stationed in Washington, Alaska when he received the accommodation medal for work with the post engineer's office. Upon his return he worked for the City of Rocky Mount as Assistant City Engineer and Director of Planning. At the age of 29 was appointed to serve as City Manager and served proudly in that capacity for 35 years. Upon his retirement from the City, Bill worked and served as Executive Vice President of The Tuscarora Corporation. Bill served as a Board of Director on numerous businesses, namely: The Record Bar, Inc., New Southern of Rocky Mount, Peoples Bank & Trust Company, Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce, N.C. Wesleyan College Foundation, Braswell Memorial Library, North Carolina League of Municipalities, American Public Power Association, Communities In Schools, United Way, Eastern N.C. Economic Development, Carolinas Gateway Partnership, Futrell-Mauldin Community Fund, Ellett Brothers, Inc., ElectriCities of North Carolina, N.C. Association of City and County Managers and ICMA. He is the recipient of the George C. Franklin Memorial Award by the N.C. League of Municipalities, Meritorious Service Award by Rocky Mount, Preston Kramer Award for Meritorious Service to Public Power from The American Public Power Association and 2013 Outstanding Older Adult Award by the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School Teacher and chairman of numerous committees. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Genevieve Privette Batchelor; a son, William "Bob" Robert Batchelor and wife, Donna Sherrod Batchelor; a son, Bradford "Brad" Hodge Batchelor and grandson, William "Will" Hill Batchelor, II; a sister, Peggy Simpson Chalker of Marietta, GA, and nephew, Kenneth Chalker of Marietta, GA. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held on July 15, 2017 at 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC. A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service. Visitation will follow the service and other times at the home of Bill & Genevieve. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804. Sincere gratitude is given to Dr. Yager and the MSICU staff at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC for the care and attention provided to Bill and his family. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Location Not Available Saturday 7/15, 4:00 pm Service First Presbyterian Church 153 N. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9121 --> | Saturday 7/15, 3:00 pm