William Mitchell, 94, passed away August 28, 2026 under the care of Transitions Hospice Care. Born Billie Joe Mitchell in Harlan County, KY, to the late Steve and Mintie Mitchell. He changed his name to William Joseph Mitchell when he joined the Air Force, but to his family and friends, it was Billie Joe, Billie or Bill.

Bill was a successful engineer of telephone switching systems and was on the ground floor when cell phones came into existence. However, Bill's biggest accomplishments were his love of family, gardening and fishing. Bill hosted two fishing trips every year, through age 93, at Falls Lake. Family and friends would fish, eat and tell hilarious stories for a week in the Spring and Fall. Bill's brothers, sisters and other family would come from as far away as Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

Bill was one of nine children, and they and their families would spend a vacation week together in June every year for over 60 years. The family grew to be over 100 in attendance. There was a potluck dinner every night, and the line to get a plate was a sight to see, especially when it was t-shirt night and everyone was dressed in the vacation t-shirt of the year. "Hot plate coming through" was repeatedly shouted as a new dish was added to the enormous table of food. Bill's brothers and sisters would gather each morning to string beans, which were a staple at every dinner, and their favorite shared lunch was pinto bean soup and cornbread.

Bill's garden was the size of most backyards and he had a 12-foot fence surrounding it to keep the deer from eating his delicious produce. Bill would start his plants from seed during the winter, and it was not uncommon for him to harvest some vegetables in February. He loved to share the immense bounty with family, friends and neighbors. Bill lined his shelves with canned tomatoes, green beans and beets.

Bill was married for 65 years to Delores Mitchell until her death in 2018. They have two sons, Michael (Kim) Mitchell, Hickory, NC; Rodney (Megan) Mitchell, Spring Hope, NC; 5 grandchildren, Shane Mitchell, Myrtle Beach, SC; Ryan Mitchell (1980-2020); Alan (Kara) Davis, Cottonwood Heights, UT; Charley (Emily) Mitchell, Florence, SC; and Renee (Bruce) Robinson, Harker Heights, TX; 12 great grandchildren, Joseph (Savannah), Michaela, Caiden, Ellison and Liam Mitchell, Wake Forest, NC; Savana (Jared) Fowler, Four Oaks, NC; Paxton Mitchell, Florence, SC; Skylar and Remy Mitchell and Paisley Riley, Myrtle Beach, SC; and Micah and Astoria Davis, Cottonwood Heights, UT; and 2 great great grandchildren, Lillie and Ryan Mitchell, Wake Forest, NC. Bill is also survived by his companion, Linda Smith, Raleigh, NC.

Bill's extraordinary ability to love deeply and bring family and friends together was a gift to everyone who knew him. His presence, his love, and the connections he created will be deeply missed, but his legacy can live on through all of us. The greatest way we can honor Bill's memory is to follow his example - to cherish our family and friends, make time for the people we love, and let those relationships be the true purpose of our lives.

A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Transitions LifeCare