When Bill Armstrong appeared before the Pearly Gates on November 28, 2025, St. Peter looked at him and, with the hint of a smile, asked, “What’s a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?” Surprised, Bill responded, “Hey, that’s my line!” “I know,” said St. Peter with even more of a smile, “Go on in, they’re waiting for you.” When he was greeted by The Lord (as are all new arrivals), The Lord, with a gleam in his eye, said, “Hey, don’t I know you? Didn’t you used to be somebody?” Bill’s response was cut off by The Lord, “I know, that’s also your line! Welcome! I always like a good laugh; why else would I have created the duck-billed platypus?” (or Bill Armstrong, for that matter. If you knew him, you’ll recognize his humor here.)
WILLIAM BACON ARMSTRONG, SR. was born to James P. and Frances Bacon Armstrong in Greensboro, N.C., on either December 29 or 30, 1938. His mother always said: “It was the 30th. I know what day you were born, I WAS THERE!” The State of North Carolina, however, reported the date as the 29th on his birth certificate, and once he got his first passport, the 29th became the recognized (though not celebrated) date. He had an older brother, James P. Armstrong, Jr. who, their mother said, was so proud of his new baby brother that he showed him off to whoever came by the house; friends, the mailman, the milkman, strangers. Bill, however, suspected he was trying to give him away to anyone who would take him.
He grew up in High Point, N.C., attended public school and, in high school, won a number of honors; which seemed important at the time but less so in the greater scheme of things. Following high school, he attended Davidson College. While there, he, again, accumulated a number of honors, but, most importantly, made friends who lasted a life time. He graduated in 1961 with a B.A. in English. He then went to the Duke University School of Law, graduating with an LLB degree and passing the bar in 1964. Most significantly, it was there that he became smitten with a red-headed nursing student, Ellen Towslee. They married in 1965, and he remained besmitten for the rest of his life. They spent the first two years of their married life in Vaihingen, Germany, where Bill was fulfilling his two-year ROTC commitment as Courts and Boards Officer for 7th Army Headquarters, Special Troops.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to his alma mater, Davidson, as Alumni Director. He had the easiest job in the world planning alumni meetings, as Lefty Driesell was the basketball coach, and every chapter across the nation wanted nothing but Lefty as the speaker. Lefty departed in 1969, and shortly thereafter, so did Bill. He and Ellen and their two-year-old daughter, Katharine, moved to Richmond, where he worked for St. Catherine’s School for the next 33 years; first as Development Director and then as Assistant Head for Financial Affairs. In Richmond, they added son, Will, to the family.
As a true Davidson Wildcat, Bill believed deeply in a life of service and gratitude and gave generously of his talents for financial organization, measured consideration, and storytelling, enlivening even the most serious of meetings in his years of dedication to St. Catherine’s School, St. Stephen’s Church, Roslyn Conference and Retreat Center, and Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Virginia. At St. Stephen’s, he served faithfully in numerous leadership roles including as a member of the vestry and as treasurer for six years, where he also contributed to the finance committee. His dedication to the church was evident through his work as both a Sunday School teacher and Director and as a lay minister. Additionally he served as captain and treasurer for the Every Member Canvass, treasurer of the St. Stephen’s endowment fund, and supported St. Stephen’s Preschool. A Roslyn board member for over fifteen years, he was both a valued member of the Roslyn Managers Corporation and a Governing Trustee. His commitment to education extended to Stuart Hall, where he served on the Board of Governors for sixteen years, including as chair of the finance committee and chair of the Stuart Hall School Foundation. He was also an active member of the Building and Grounds Committee and Governance Committee.
For Bill, family was everything, and he found his greatest joy in everyday moments. From sunny days at Holden Beach to apple picking in the Blue Ridge, there was nowhere he’d rather be than with Ellen, Katharine, and Will. He was always happy to talk about their latest accomplishments, whether it was his daughter’s writing and nonprofit success or his son’s art show awards; and when his grandchildren came along, his pride and love knew no bounds. He was regularly amazed by the young adults they were growing into, marveling over their passions and achievements, including Ada’s first marathon and Sam’s first muscle car, Matthew’s burgeoning video game writing, and Scarlett’s incredible artistic ability. Doting grandparent though he was, he was not above schooling the kids on the Wii, just as he had schooled his own kids on Intellivision.
Though his service and work ethic were much admired, he was best loved for his quieter accomplishments, a dry wit, which could fool even the most wary (except his wife, a frequent exclaimer of, “Oh, Bill!”), his rare and treasured poems marking great occasions, his superior hamburgers, a passion for books and music, and the ability to become the immediate best friend of every dog and small child he met. He will be missed by those he left behind too soon.
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellen Towslee Armstrong; children, Katharine Armstrong Herndon (Rob), and William Bacon Armstrong Jr. (Susan); grandsons, Matthew Robert Herndon and William Samuel Herndon; granddaughters, Ada Laine Armstrong and Scarlett Mae Armstrong; extended family member Harriet Mattes; nephew, James P. Armstrong, III (Sonia), and niece, Glenna Lee Armstrong Wagner (Randy) and their families; nephew Harold Eugene Towslee, III; and the latest of numerous beloved dogs, Lizzie. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by brother, James P. Armstrong, Jr.
A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond on January 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. Should you wish to honor his memory, please consider sharing a meal full of laughter with dear friends, listening to a song that reminds you of a loved one, petting a good dog, or donating to a charity of your choice.