Chowan University Athletics

William "Bill" F. Severance was born in Winston-Salem but was raised in the Oxford and Norlina area of North Carolina. Severance’s athletic accolades began early, as he started to pile up the awards at Warren County High School. He was a football varsity starter when he entered the ninth grade. He also played varsity baseball. Severance was a member of the High School All-Conference football team in both 1952 and 53, and was also a member of the All-State football team in 1953, in which he represented Eastern North Carolina.

Severance graduated from high school in 1954 which was the same year he married his wife, Betty Jean Edwards. On November 15, 1954, he was drafted into the United States Army.  During his tour of duty, Severance served 8 months in Germany. After his discharge from the military, he was employed by AT&T in Durham, North Carolina until he entered college.

Severance entered Chowan in August of 1958. He started as a Graphic Art major and then switched his major to Civil Technology. During his years at Chowan, Severance was on the football team and was voted Defensive Player of the Week four times by his peers.

After graduating, Severance was first employed at Stone and Webster in Lake Gaston, North Carolina. After leaving that job, he gained employment with the State of North Carolina Department of Transportation Location and Survey Unit in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He proudly retired from that job after 36 years of service.

Severance was a proud member of College Park Baptist Church and was also a Past Master of Jefferson Penn Masonic Lodge #384. Severance sadly passed in August of 2023, leaving his Wife Betty and their 4 children.