James William "Bill" Batey

James William “Bill” Batey, 92, of Burlington passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023.

Bill was born March 29, 1930 in Illinois.  He worked in the telecommunications field for the majority of his career, working until September 2022 for Avaya.  An avid traveler, he was always willing to head to a new destination, even earning his pilot’s license in order to visit new places.  Bill opened his home to several exchange students over the years and always enjoyed making friends from different cultures. He was an adoring grandfather and avid golfer and could often be found piling the kids on his golf cart to head out and get ice cream, or helping them with school projects and things around the house.  His family will remember him fondly.  Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Blanche Blue Batey Reed, father, James William Freemont Batey, grandson, Hunter Sowinski, and brothers, Thomas Batey and Horace “Bud” Batey.

Bill is survived by his wife, Valerie Lawrence Batey; 8 children, Bill Batey, Bruce Batey (Julie), Frank Batey (Barb), Doug Batey (Jill), Laurel Overman (Tommy), Alan Sowinski (Harriet), Matt Sowinski (Julia), and Van Sowinski; 12 grandchildren, Alyson Sykes (Jeff), Coy T. Overman III (Jill), Lane Sowinski, Erica Sowinski (Donta), Aaron Sowinski, Neil Sowinski, Tony Batey (Sasha), Jeff Batey (Kristy), Zach Batey, Natalie Batey, Anthony Batey, Sophia Batey; 5 great-grandchildren, Cole Sykes, William Murphy, Alison Bartley, Tyus Booker, and Raina Booker; 4 great-great-grandchildren, Jadelynn Bartley, Joshua Bartley, Jamie Bartley, and Jaxxon Bartley; many nieces and nephews; and special dear friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, January 23, 2023 from 2 – 4 PM at Lowe Funeral Home with a time of remembrance to be held at 3 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or Burlinton Animal Services at www.burlingtonnc.gov.