William Eli Atwell

Eli Atwell was a man who never met a golf course he couldn’t conquer, a funny joke he wouldn’t repeat, or a delicious homemade meal he didn’t devour. With his enviable golf handicap of zero, he won numerous trophies and silver bowls, each one a testament to his skill and love of the game. Nevertheless, he would stay off the links long enough to take his girls to church on Sunday mornings.

He left us on March 17, 2026, at the age of 92, after complications from a stroke. He leaves behind a legacy of whistling and laughter — and a garage filled with golf clubs, golf bags, and scads of golf balls retrieved from the rough.

William Eli Atwell was born in Cornelius, NC, to Rueben Harold Atwell, Sr. and Sadie Elizabeth (Parks) Atwell. He had an older brother, Reuben Harold Atwell, Jr. (Billy). Eli graduated from Cornelius High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, he attended Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. After graduation, Eli worked for Wachovia Bank in Winston-Salem, then moved on to insurance sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC.He retired from BCBS after more than 30 years. 

In 1964, he married Bonnie Wall at Ardmore United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. They were together for 61 years- creating a wonderful, welcoming home for family and friends. He wasn’t much of a DIYer, but he could slay a basket of laundry. He even knew how to fold the sheets and towels the way Bonnie liked, and that is no small task.

Eli was a devoted Dad to two daughters, Holly and Mari. He taught his girls and most of the neighborhood kids to ride bikes. He would call you out if you left your bike, skates, or toys outside. Eli traded being a rink guard on busy nights at Family Skate Center for free entry for Holly and Mari. Yes, he had his own roller skates and would glide effortlessly around the rink. He could backwards skate, blow the whistle and send rule breakers to the naughty bench all while staying upright on his wheels. His girls learned driving basics by taking the wheel of the golf cart on Saturday mornings. But their ultimate test happened on the streets of downtown Winston: learning how to manage a stick shift on a steep hill with a stoplight at the top. He was a patient teacher!

An early riser, he made sure to have coffee in the percolator, and would take your order: toast, eggs, cream of wheat? On the rare occasion he oversaw dinner, you were getting breakfast (again) or hamburgers seasoned with Lipton Onion Soup.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie and two daughters: Holly Atwell of Savannah (Ron Johnston); and Mari Atwell of Atlanta (Mark Singletary).

There will be an empty place in our hearts and at the dinner table without you, Shug. But we will polish off a slice of Key lime pie, a piece of poundcake or a bowl of Breyer’s Butter Pecan in your memory.

We will probably go back for seconds.

There will be a Celebration of Life gathering at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eli’s memory can be made to First Tee Triad at www.firstteetriad.org or the Our Father’s Table Food Pantry at www.ardmoreumc.org.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the Atwell Family.