Dr. Billy E. Caldwell, age 84, passed away August 19, 2017 from Alzheimer's at the Glenaire Retirement Village. He was born in Catawba County, NC, the son of Dorsey and Helen Caldwell. Upon graduating with a BS in Agronomy from NCSU, he spent two years on Active Duty in the Army and six years in the Army Reserve. He married the love of his life, Wilma Barnes, on Dec. 18, 1955. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Mark, Eric (Connie), and Brent (Anne), ten grandchildren, Britt (Andrea), Mitch (Liz), Joshua, Dan, Michael, Andrew, Chelsey (Brian), Haley, Tyler (Stewart) and Claire, and two great grandchildren, Emalani and Kawena.
Billy had a long and distinguished career, earning his Master's degree at NCSU and his Ph.D in Agronomy and Statistics at Iowa State University. He worked for the USDA in Beltsville, MD for almost 13 years before coming back to NCSU as Head of the Crop Science Department in 1975. In 1988 he joined the NC Agric. Extension Service from which he retired as Associate Director in December of 1999. During his career Billy served as President of the Crop Science Society of America and as the Agriculturist for the President's Science Advisor. He was honored with many awards, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, NC's highest honor, and many other recognitions throughout his career.
Billy was a deacon at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church and served in other capacities there. He was a humble, loving servant of his Lord. Most of all, Bill was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
A service in his honor will be held August 26 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church at 3:00 pm with visitation beginning at 1:30 pm in the Narthex. There will be a private interment immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Greenwood Baptist Church, 110 SE Maynard Rd., Cary, NC 27511 or to Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC, 27511.
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