Hal W. Howington, Sr., 92, 1158 N. Mountain Street, Blacksburg, SC, went home to be with the Lord August 8, 2012, at Kings Mountain Hospice House, Kings Mountain, NC. Born in Winder, Ga, he was the husband of the late Dorothy Martin Howington and a son of the late Zed W. and Jessie Patrick Howington, Sr.
He served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 in Guadalcanal and Northern Solomon Islands during the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars. He retired from Spartan Food Systems, owned and operated several service stations in the community and was a gentleman farmer.
He was a member of Mt. Paran Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. He loved the Men's SS Class serving as Class President. He was an active member of Mt. Paran's Senior Citizen's Group and a member of the Happy Time Band. He was a lifetime member and Post Commander of VFW Post 4941, and a lifetime member of the Jack E. Daniel #54 DAV. He was also a volunteer with the Senior Center of Blacksburg.
He is survived by two sons - Hal Howington, Jr. and wife, Brenda, of Blackburg, SC; and Bradley Howington of Blacksburg, SC. One daugther - Patricia H. Whelchel and husband, Junior, of Gaffney, SC. Two grandchildren - Amy W. Hill and husband, Joe, of Blacksburg, SC; and Kristi H. Vassey and husband, Michael, of Gaffney, SC. Five great-grandchildren - Chelsea Hill, Joseph Hill, Jr., Breanna Hill, Jacob Vassey and Madison Vassey. One great-great-grandchild - Damion Hughes. Five brothers - Nolan P. Howington of Louisville, KY; Hoyt Howington of Tega Cay, SC; Horace Howington of Plymouth, NC; Robert Howington of Shelby, NC; and Dwight Howington of Gastonia, NC. In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by two sisters - Erie Dell Worthy and Una Morgan; and five brothers - Herman Howington, Zed Howington, Jr., William Howington, (Hal's twin brother) Hugh Howington; and Grady Howington.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8:00 PM at White Columns. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 11, 2012, 11:00 AM at Mt. Paran Baptist Church, with Rev. Jay Clever officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. At other times, they will be at the home of Hal, Jr., 1140 N. Mountain St., Blacksburg, SC.
Active pallbearers serving are Joe Hill, Joseph Hill, Michael Howington, Mitchell Howington, Michael Vassey, Gene Carner, David Gibbons, Mason Thompson and Carnell Manning. Honorary pallbearers serving are members of VFW Post 4941.
Memorials may be made to Kings Mountain Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Road, Kings Mountain, NC, 28086; or to Mt. Paran Baptist Church, 105 Mt. Paran Road, Blacksburg, SC, 29702.
White Columns is serving the Howington Family.
