Billy Gene Cottle

Billy Gene Cottle, age 91, entered the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on May 9, 2026.

Billy was born on January 26,1935 in Wilmington, NC to parents, Rodolph Duffy Cottle and Lola Maybelle Harrell Cottle. In 1955, Billy married Ada Jones Wells, his faithful spouse for 70 years until her passing in April 2026.

Billy worked for much of his career as a home builder in the Wilmington area, building nearly 90 homes in total and remodeling or constructing additions for many more through Billy Cottle Construction. Prior to home building, Billy worked for Garver Shirt Factory and made doughnuts for Krispy Kreme on 16th and Market Streets.

Billy enjoyed fishing, growing vegetables and playing golf. He was most happy sitting on his tractor. Friends and passersby often blew their horns to signal hello when seeing him on his tractor or tending to the potatoes, beans and tomatoes in his garden on North Kerr Avenue. Billy was especially known for his collards, which he sold in the fall each year.

Billy played golf frequently in retirement and introduced his young grandsons to the sport during regular trips to Green Mountain RV Park in Lenior, NC. He later also played golf with his great-grandsons. Billy enjoyed time on the golf course as recently as last year with his friend Dan Mitchell.

Billy was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Murrayville for many years. He provided his construction experience to many projects at the church where he served as a Deacon. Billy and Ada made close friends in the church across all generations and thought of those friends as family. Billy seldom missed a church service, only not attending due to health or travel adventures which took him with his wife, Ada, across the country multiple times, occasionally with friends and family. They also travelled to Hawaii twice, once on a mission trip to construct a church, and recently to Bermuda with their daughters and son-in-law, Hank.

Billy was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Lee Jones Wells Cottle, his father, Rodolph Duffy Cottle, his mother, Lola Maybelle Harrell Cottle, his brothers, Lewis Richard Cottle, Rodolph Delma Cottle, Gilbert Kethely Cottle and son-in-law, Larry Steven Murray.

Billy is survived by his daughters, Margie Wells Murray of Castle Hayne, NC, and Gloria Cottle Harmon and husband Hank Harmon of Surf City, NC, four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Billy’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Kenneth Murray and wife, Michelle, of Raleigh, NC, with children Anna and husband, Matthew Lynch, of Gainesville, FL, James Murray and Luke Murray; Steven Murray and wife, Amber, of Castle Hayne, NC, with children Skyler and Levi; Shannon Harmon and wife, Laurie, of Surf City, NC, with Shannon’s sons, Elijah and wife, Sarah, of Wilmington, NC, and Micah of Castle Hayne, NC, and with Laurie’s daughter Madaghan O’Shea of Surf City, NC; Bethany Pegram and husband, Matt, of Castle Hayne, NC, with children Alex Horrell and Cody Pegram; and nephew Clarence Ray Lawhorne of Wilmington, NC.

The family would like to thank the Fellowship Baptist Church family for the love and care that they bestowed on Billy and Ada over many years. The family would also like to thank neighbors, Alan and Rosa Morgan, for their kindness and support. Additionally, the family would like to thank the staff of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their compassion and encourages donations in support of their continued work.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Fellowship Baptist Church at 5709 Murrayville Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 followed immediately by the funeral service at 2:00 pm officiated by longtime Pastor and friend, Reverend Arnold Griffin. Interment will occur at Oleander Memorial Gardens.