William Sleeth Countryman, 51, of Graham, North Carolina, a beloved and devoted husband and father, passed away Monday, Nov. 20, 2006. Bill was born in Kokomo, Indiana. He was the son of the late Anna Lou and Highley H. Countryman. He was raised in Palatine, Illinois where he attended Palatine High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the football, wrestling and track teams. He received two military appointments and selected the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He was then commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps where he received his pilot”s training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He served with distinction in Grenada, Beirut, Lebanon and many other overseas locations flying Cobra helicopters, frequently off of aircraft carriers. Bill finished his service at Camp LeJeune, N.C. at the rank of Captain as an Air Officer, Second Battalion, Sixth Marines. He was passionately involved in ministry with his fellow marines through the Navigators Military Ministry. Since moving to N.C., Bill and his family have been members of Antioch Community Church in Elon. Bill loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart. He demonstrated this by serving all of those around him. Bill was employed by AW North Carolina in Durham as a production planner and was greatly respected by his fellow employees. He will be remembered by all those who knew him for his love of family, his generosity of spirit, his caring for others and his devotion to God. He is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis, sons, John, Christopher and Michael; daughter, Caroline, all of the home; brother and sister-inlaw, Andrew and Antoinette Countryman and nieces, Cecilia and Rachel, all of Chicago; mother-in-law, Grace T. White of Burlington; aunts, uncles and cousins. His many friends, co-workers, fellow church members and his family greatly miss him. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 26 at Antioch Community Church in Elon at 2 p.m. with Pastor J. Mark Fox officiating. The graveside service will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are being made to Antioch Community Church, 1600 Powerline Drive, Elon, N.C. 27244 for the Countryman family. Condolences may be sent to the family at info@lowefuneralhome.com