William Marcus Alexander

William Marcus Alexander, 89, of Monroe, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023 at Jesse Helms Center in Monroe.

Bill was born December 31, 1933 in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late John Alexander and the late Sally Perkins. 

He was preceded in death by wife, Joyce Alexander; daughter Terry Blackwell; brother, John Alexander Jr.; sisters Betty Jo Morris and Faye Haigler.

The family will receive friends from 9 am to 9:45 am, July 26, at Lakeview Baptist Church in Monroe. The funeral service will follow in the chapel, officiated by Reverends Gary Underwood and Ted Riedel. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at the church cemetery.

William Marcus Alexander, affectionately known as Bill, was a remarkable man who played many different roles in his life. 
Bill’s father, John, died in a plane crash in 1950. Knowing he needed to support his family he joined the Navy. He served valiantly in the Navy during the Korean War on the USS Des Moines (CA-134).  He continued to be the primary source of support for his mother and sisters until his brother returned 
from the Army to help. 

Bill began civilian life working at Highland Mills, in Charlotte, NC.  He then went on to be the Circulation Manager for the Charlotte Observer for the next 17 years. During this time Bill and his first wife had two daughters, Nancy Carol and Terry Lynn. 

When he moved to Union County, he continued his newspaper career with the Enquirer Journal.  After a difficult time he met  and fell in love with Joyce “Little Red” Dean.  They quickly became inseparable and were soon married. Bill not only gained a wife but became a second father to Joyce’s four children Pam, Suzy, Marty and Kevin. 

“Bill and Joyce were a pair, they were one; but, Joyce was the director.” Jim Rowe, American Legion Post 535. Jim goes on to say, “Bill had his own way of doing things and they were as good as any, and better than most.”

Bill was a jokester, he loved baseball and to laugh, but don’t mess with his Dallas Cowboys.

Family was important to him, and he always made himself available to all of his children. In fact, he never missed any of Kevin’s high school football games. He had a large blended family, and he loved all of them as his own.

Bill and Joyce were a formidable duo. Their partnership was a testament to their unwavering love and commitment to one another, their families, and their community. You would always find them together, in the community, being of service to others.

Proud of his military service, Bill was a Charter Member of American Legion Post 535. Always an active member, and thanks to Joyce’s daughter Pam, he still is faithfully paying his dues.

Service is a cornerstone to Bill’s legacy.  He loved his country, his community, his church and his family.  His heart was bigger than most, and the perfect size for the presence he commanded.

Bill and Joyce spent a lot of time volunteering at Post 535.  They volunteered at baseball games and provided much needed help to veterans in the community.  Bill and Joyce, along with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cobb, delivered meals to the homeless every month. Also, during every election, Bill and Joyce volunteered at their local precinct.

They were faithful members of Lakeview Baptist Church. Bill was always in his pressed suit with his American flag pin. You could typically find him helping around the church, except in the kitchen, where Joyce would lovingly run him off.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the tireless nursing and administrative staff at Jessie Helms Nursing Home where Bill has been a resident for the past 5 years. These are a special group of people that work hard to make our family members feel safe and loved. We will be forever grateful for their care and attention to our Bill.

Survivors include: daughter, Nancy Schneider and husband Dave of Knoxville, TN; son, Marty Warwick and wife Madonna of Indian Trail; son, Kevin Warwick and wife Tammy of Monroe; daughter, Suzanne Herlocker and husband Jerry of Midland; daughter,  Pam Hall and husband Tommy of Indian Trail; grandchildren, Amy Campbell Pratt, Corbin William Higdon, Brian and Greg Herlocker, Chris Hall, Josh Warwick, Deena Pardon, Mika Self and Ashley Murdock; 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Bill’s unwavering love made him an irreplaceable figure in our lives, and he will be deeply missed. May he and “Little Red” rest in peace, together.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion, Post 535 in care of Jim Rowe, 2220 Haigler Baucom Rd. Monroe NC 28110  

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Alexander family.