William (Bill) Preston Facello

On Friday September 30, First Sergeant William (Bill) Preston Facello, USMC Retired passed away at eighty-six. A father of four and loving grandfather, Bill’s generous heart, welcoming nature, and jovial spirit stopped nowhere short of his family; he could hardly leave home without running into someone whose life he had touched. Be it through his military duty, teaching, working with the Boy Scouts, or serving with Toys for Tots and Meal on Wheels, Bill’s legacy of charity and friendship survives through all those he came into contact with.

Born in Mohegan, West Virginia to father James Arvel Facello and mother Bessie Octavia Coffey Facello Reed on August 16 of 1936, Bud, as he was known in his youth, was a proud graduate of Welch High School class of 1954. He served 22 years active-duty in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a First Sergeant from Camp Lejeune. Bill continued his education graduating from UNC Wilmington and then spending 27 years teaching ROTC at John T. Hoggard High School and social studies at Lake Forest Junior High School and New Hanover High School.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Dianne Williams Facello, his second wife Grace Elizabeth Swetnam Facello, his sister Melody Facello, his brother James Earl (Jimmy) Facello, and his father James Arvel Facello and mother Bessie Octavia Coffey Facello Reed.

His four children survive him, Melody Ann (Dee) Facello of Oklahoma, Michael Joseph Facello and wife Lesley of North Carolina, Deborah Kaye Facello Coffee of Arizona, and Christopher James Facello and wife Leigh Anne of South Carolina. He also has nine grandchildren, Samantha Johnson, Auriel Johnson and husband Timothy Blount, Dalton Menzer and wife Celeste, Darci Kirby and husband Connor, Demi (Rowan) Menzer, Sean Facello, Michaela Facello, Caitlin Facello, and Madison Facello. Two great-grandchildren also survive him, Levi Menzer and Kohen Kirby.

Bill’s service will be held on October 15 at 1PM at Cape Fear Freewill Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC proceeded by a viewing on the 14th at Andrews Mortuary on College Rd from 4-6PM. He will be buried in Rose Hill Cemetery alongside his family and loving wife Dianne.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Concord University Scholarship that William created for underprivileged students that graduate from his high school. This can be done online through Concord.edu or by mail to the following address:

Concord University Foundation

PO Box 1405

Athens, WV 24712

In memo on your check, please put “Mt. View/Welch High School Scholarship” Online at Concord.edu. Search Scholarships and Funds. Under Designation there is a pull-down menu and you will need to select “Mt View/Welch High School Scholarship” (type mt and it will move to that option).