James "Jim" Howell

Waynesville, James Rufus Howell, 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Rufus Allen and Bonnie Teague Howell.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Earleen Howell, who died in 2014.

Jim proudly served his country in the Army National Guard and owned Jim’s Trim Shop.  He was a member of Dellwood Baptist Church.  Jim was involved in the Antique Car Club, he was a farmer and like working with his cattle.  He enjoyed working at his trim shop and pleasing his customers.

Jim is survived by a brother, Neil Howell, and his wife, Barbara, of Bowling Green, Kentucky; brother-in-law, Ralph Messer, and his wife, Angie, of Waynesville.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Bobby Rogers officiating.  Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 until 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dellwood Baptist Church, 115 Hall Drive, Waynesville, NC 28785.

The care of Jim has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com