Betty Goosmann Bills

Betty Goosmann Bills

High Point

Betty Goosmann Bills, 87, of Salisbury, passed away Tuesday evening, September 11, 2018, at Pennybyrn in High Point, NC. The daughter of George F. Goosmann Jr. and Mary Nearn Goosmann Herndon, Betty was born March 1, 1931, in Bells, Tenn., where she spent her early years. She graduated valedictorian from Bells High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. At UT, Betty was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Sweater Girl of Pi Kappa Alpha, named one of the “Most Beautiful” at Tennessee, and graduated a semester early. She was an elementary school teacher in Tennessee before moving to Salisbury, NC in 1960 with husband, Don. She worked in banking, was a paralegal in a law office, before running the office for Don’s scholastic recognition business. She was involved in running a business and managing real estate investments until this summer.

She was an avid reader and skilled writer, master bridge player, loved golf, tennis, skiing, traveling and dancing. She spent many years as first mate sailing the southeast Atlantic Ocean and down to the Caribbean with husband, Don. She also enjoyed painting primarily using oils and watercolor.

Betty was a member of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, Salisbury Junior Women’s Club, and The Country Club of Salisbury. In 1966, she served as chairman of the Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council, and agreed to serve as chairman again in 1967. She was named Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women's Club in 1966. She received the Brotherhood Award from the Salisbury-Rowan Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1975.

She was involved in many community service organizations, founded locally and was Regional Director of American Field Service (AFS) facilitating youth international exchange. She was a compassionate supporter of the less fortunate or those in need and helped many anonymously.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Don. She is survived by her brother George F. Goosmann III and wife Elaine of Asheville, her daughter, Caren Reese Bills of Holden Beach; two sons, Brant Thompson Bills and wife Judy of New Bern, NC and Don Andrew Bills and wife Anne of High Point; grandson Andrew Carter Bills and wife Morgan of Asheboro; granddaughters Marigrace (Molly) Bills Ostmann and husband Sean of New Bern; Elizabeth Bills Weaver and husband Drew of Atlanta, Ga.; and Mary Cullen Bills Dixon and husband Trip of High Point; three nephews and 4 great grandchildren.

A special thanks to her lifelong friend Cary Ward, and to caregivers and therapists at Pennybyrn of High Point for their loving care of Betty during her time there.

Service: Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18th at First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury. Visitation: To follow the service in Lewis Hall. Memorials: May be made to Brain Tumor Research Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.  Or to Rowan County Animal Services, 1465 Julian Rd Salisbury, North Carolina 28146.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Cremation & Funeral Service, High Point, is in charge of arrangements.