The following obituary is from the Tidewater newspaper of Franklin, Virginia 1937.

William Fletcher Howell well-known and substantial Franklin citizen, died at his home near this town October 18, 1937, after an illness of several months. Mr. Howell, who was in his 76th year, was born in Hertford County, N.C., near Winton February 11, 1862, the son of the late James Edward and Mrs. Lucy Hines Howell. He moved from Hertford County to Branchville, VA. about 50 years ago, marrying Miss Geneva H. Holland of that community on January 7, 1891, where they resided until coming to Franklin in 1915. Besides his wife, Mr. Howell is survived by four sons, William Herman, Thomas Clyde, James Edward and Dewey Howell, all of Franklin; by three daughters, Mrs. W.M. Bradshaw and Mrs. R.C. Councill of Franklin, and Mrs. C.R. Waters of Portsmouth, and by 12 grandchildren. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Roena Elliott of Rich Square, N.C., and a half brother, I. Vernon Turner of Aulander, N.C. Mr. Howell was a useful member of the Branchville Baptist Church, moving his membership to the Franklin Baptist Church soon after coming here. He had been affiliated with the Masonic order for half a century, and was a member of Franklin Lodge No. 151, A. F. & A. M. He was an unusually successful farmer, his farming interests in this community being quite extensive. Funeral services were held from his late residence Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by his Pastor Rev. R.D. Stephenson, assisted by Rev. Floyd P. Davis of Sycamore Baptist Church, and by Rev. A. McK. Reynolds of High Street M.E. Church. Interment was made in the family plot near the homestead, the active pallbearers being his four sons, Herman, Clyde, Edward and Dewy Howell ; his three sons-in-law, W.M. Bradshaw, R.C. Councill and C.R. Waters, and a grandson, William Herman Howell, Jr. The honorary pallbearers were members of the Masonic order who conducted the commital service at the grave and a num_________________ily.