William Thurman Batchelor

William was born November 23, 1923 near Selma, North Carolina in Johnston County. He was the son of Edward Adam Batchelor and Bethany Wheeler Batchelor. He had three brothers, Charlie Adam Batchelor, James Edward Batchelor and Robert Wheeler Batchelor and one sister Sallie Edith Batchelor McCabe. He grew up and worked on a cotton and tobacco farm. He graduated Corinth-Holder High School, an 11th grade high school. He then graduated from Wendell High School's twelfth grade high school. He entered the army at the beginning of World War II and was assigned to the Army Specialized Training program at Lehigh University. He was later reassigned to the U.S. Air Corps. and was then assigned to New York University in Oswego, New York. He went through the U.S. Air Corps training program for bombardier and won his wings at Big Springs, Texas and was at the final training station at Las Vegas, Nevada when the war ended. After the war William and his father built and operated a restaurant in Smithfield, North Carolina for several years. In 1946 he began a new career as a high school teacher at Pine Level High School in Johnston County. It was here that he met and married a fellow teacher, Estelle Dorman. They both continued their education and earned their AB Degrees from Atlantic Christian College and their Masters Degrees from East Carolina College in Greenville, NC. Immediately after earning his Masters Degree on 1952 he became principal of Topsail High School in Hampstead, North Carolina. He continued as principal of Topsail High School until 1976 when the school was moved to its new location. At that time he became principal of Topsail High School and Topsail Primary School. Later when the two schools were separated, he elected to be principal of Topsail High School and remained in that position until he resigned because of medical problems in 1980. He was known for being very strict in maintaining discipline. His usual punishment was 3 days of suspension or three paddlings. Since in almost every case, the student chose the paddling, he is still remembered for his paddle. There was never any animosity involved in this punishment, there was never any ill will involved and the students remember the paddling fondly and remember Mr. Batchelor fondly. There will be a viewing at Andrews Mortuary in Hampstead, NC between 5:00pm and 7:00pm Monday, December 29, 2014, for those who wish to pay their respects. There will be no formal funeral and only a small graveside service at 2:00pm, Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Sea Lawn Memorial Park. Mr. Batchelor is survived by his wife, Estelle Batchelor, his son, William T. Batchelor II and wife, Ashley Batchelor, and his granddaughter, Violet Alisa Batchelor. He will be missed very much.