LARRY MORGAN STILLWELL
1941 – 2025
Larry Morgan Stillwell of Connelly Springs passed peacefully from this world on May 13th at the age of 84, ending a yearlong battle against cancer.
Larry was born February 26, 1941 in Catawba County to Morgan and Edna (Smith) Stillwell. He graduated from Hildebran High School in 1959 where he excelled in academics and played football and basketball. He attended North Carolina State University following graduation but left early to marry his high school sweetheart, Lena (Mobley) Stillwell, and start a family.
Gifted in mathematics and possessing engineering ingenuity Larry forged a career in the textile industry. He began his career at Burlington Industries in Rhodhiss and retired from Shuford Mills in Granite Falls. The notable respect and admiration he received from his employees and colleagues speaks volumes of the man he was.
Larry was a lifelong sports fan and participant. As a young father, he played industrial league softball and occasionally raced at Shuffletown Dragway; activities he continued to enjoy as a spectator later in life. But Larry’s real passion was bowling. Larry was active in numerous leagues throughout his life. He and Lena traveled frequently across the Southeast to tournaments and invitationals. He was awarded many medals in the Unifour and North Carolina Senior Games, and advanced to the national level several years. His crowning achievement was bowling not one, but nine perfect 300 games.
Larry was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 57 years. His family left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his brother, Nowell Stillwell of Hildebran; his daughters, Cheri (Richard) Lewallen of Topeka, Terri (Tim) Mull of Connelly Springs, Gina Styres of Connelly Springs, Tina (Mike) Lowman of Connelly Springs; grandchildren, Jon (Lace) Lewallen of Austin, Charlotte (Kurt) Hibbert of Fargo, RaeAnne Cable of Hickory, Maria (Ethan) Loveless of Connelly Springs, Isabell (Graham) Copeland of Connelly Springs, Sam Miller of Smithfield; great-grandson Cyrus Hibbert of Fargo; nephew Bradley (Jenny Shatley) Stillwell of Connelly Springs; and dear companion Sharon Stephens Loftin of Connelly Springs.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held June 5, 2025 at Friendship United Methodist Church in Connelly Springs at 5:00 PM. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Carolina Caring Hospice and Palliative Care or an animal rescue of the donor’s choosing.
I knew Larry well from bowling against many years at AMF colonial lanes. He was one fierce competitor and if I remember correctly about 8 or 10 years ago at Pin Station in Newton he shot his highest series ever against me (we were both the anchor bowlers of our teams) 836. I actually shot 300 that night and he still beat me by 70 pins.
He was very nice and always spoke, even me being a bit younger, he always said hello and had conversations. I will always remember that big ol lefty as gentleman and competitor. Condolences to the family, Larry will be missed in the bowling community.
Thank you for you kind words for our dad.
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his sweet girls, grandchildren and family.
Thank you Julie
Thank you Julie!
Thank you Brian Hawn
I’m gonna miss ole stillwell !!! He was definitely a great man and loved his family dearly. I have known Larry since about 1992 when I started at shuford mills.he was and Always will be my bowling hero!!! He definitely took his bowling seriously!! So larry till we meet again at the bowling alley my hero rip!!! Also hugs to Larry’s girls and rest of the family!!
Thank you Andy!
All the Stillwell Girls- I am so sorry to hear this. I know that he was dearly loved and will be dearly missed by all of you! Thoughts and prayers to each of you.
Thank you Lisa
We will be lifting the family in prayer. My dad (Eddie Robinson) bowled with Larry and it was always a pleasure to talk to him when I went to watch dad bowl. He was always so kind.
Thank you Chelsey