William Calvin "Bill" Brewer

Bill Brewer passed away while in the company of his family on 24 January 2020.  Bill was 72 years old.  Bill was born on 22 January 1948 and was raised in Rocky Gap Virginia.  He is survived by all those that cared for him. This includes his grandchildren, Scott Duncan, Beth Viale Benfield, and Jocelyn Viale, his step son Joseph Viale and wife Mechele Viale, his daughter Rachel Brewer, Rachel Remines who was like a daughter to him, Marsha McFarland, Jeremy Sweat, and many others.   Bill was proceeded in death by his wife of over 37 years Trudy E. Brewer and his younger Brother Randy Brewer. 

Bill has lived in varies locations around the world and around the US. Bill lived in Germany while serving in the US Army.   Bill and Trudy lived in Hickory North Carolina for over 17 years.  In 2011 they moved to Princeton WV to be closer to family.

 Bill was a Vietnam era veteran and flew in Grumman OV-1 Mohawk airplanes conducting surveillance deep in enemy territory taking photos for the US Army in the 1960’s.   This had been a highly classified program at the time and Bill never spoke of it until about year ago after his wife Trudy passed away in 2018 long after the program had been declassified. 

Bill was a master mechanic, a skilled welder, and an artist with automotive body work.   He loved NASCAR and was the owner of a mini-stock four-cylinder Pinto race car known as the “Porch Puppy” by the fans at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina.   The porch puppy won only a single race but it was a big win for the underdog car and team. 

Bill worked for Special Metals in Claremont, North Carolina for over 20 years and finally retired from there in 2010.  Over his long life he worked for multiple car dealerships as both a mechanic and car salesman.  He also spent many years working for Cronatron as a salesman with a welding rod supply company that supported the coal mines in Virginia and West Virginia.  Bill even worked for the State of Virginia as a corrections officer for a few years. 

Bill had many friends and will be missed by all.  He is now with the love of his life Trudy in the hereafter."