Billy Ray Lovelace, 87, went to be with his Lord on January 25, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home.

Bill was a native and resident of Lattimore, NC, and lifetime member of Lattimore Baptist Church. He retired as founder and business owner of Lloyd & Bills Sport Center in 1985. Bill never met a stranger and had friends throughout Cleveland County. A Korean War veteran, Bill served honorably in the U.S. Army in Charlie Company of the 21^st Infantry as a cook and played 2^nd base on the military baseball team to entertain the troops. They later asked him to go to training school in Japan to serve as the Coach for the 49^th Battalion Basketball team. Bill will forever be remembered for his love for and his excellent sportsmanship in baseball and basketball, his forever willingness to help someone in need, his savvy for business and his love for his family and his church and community.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Rachel Sellers Lovelace, his son Timothy Ray and wife Nancy of Jacksonville, FL, his daughter Cathy McNeish and husband David of Charlottte; grandchildren Natalie Poor and husband Matt, Elizabeth Peters and husband Jon, Drew, Hunter and Gray McNeish, and great grandchildren Lily and Sage Poor, and Brielle, Kellan and Evelyn Peters. Bill is also survived by his nephews Wayne and Ronnie Hammett and niece Joyce Shuford. Bill is predeceased by his parents Frank and Lula Hennett Lovelace and his sisters Frances Lovelace Hammett and Sara Lovelace Camp, all of Lattimore.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date this spring, to be determined, at Lattimore Baptist Church in Lattimore, NC.

Memorial donations may be made to: GLODEV, a relief and development non-profit. Global Development, PO BOX 47228 Jacksonville, FL 32247 or at www.glodev.org.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com