Edward L. Sowards,

Edward L. Sowards, 82, of Hickory passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Newton after a brief illness. Born June 19, 1930 in Rockford, Illinois, he the son of the late Charles L. Sowards and Mary Denk Sowards Moore. Edward was a 1948 graduate from Rockford East High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After working as a sign painter at the age of 16 for Shostrom Signs in Rockford he began his own sign painting business in Norfolk, VA while still in the service. He returned to Rockford and continued sign painting until he joined Bud Doyle’s real estate office in 1955. He became President of the Associate Members Division of the Rockford Real Estate Board in 1959. Edward founded and was president of Sowards Realtors in Rockford from 1960 until his initial retirement in 1982. During his career he served as President of the Rockford Board of Realtors. He also served as President of the Rockford Sales and Marketing Executive Club and was on the Board of Governors. He was a CRB (Certified Residential Broker) and taught real estate classes at Rock Valley Community College in Rockford as well as seminars around the country. He moved to St. Petersburg, FL, in 1982 where he continued the business he founded, SCORE Computer Systems. In 2002 he moved to Bethlehem, NC, and returned to real estate in 2005 with Keller Williams Realty in Hickory, and in 2007 joined Bethlehem Realty in Bethlehem. He said he never worked a day in his life because he so loved being a realtor. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing courses around the country. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Billie; son Gary (wife Donna) of Norwood, CO; daughter Jane Sowards, of Taylorsville; son Todd Sowards (wife Kristy) of Taylorsville; step-son Brian Metz (wife Julie) of Sacramento, CA; step-daughter Elizabeth Metz of Taylorsville; and sister Mary Mae Mitchell.  He is also survived by granddaughter, Madeline Johnson of Kansas City, MO and 3 grandsons, Jarod, Dante and Hunter Sowards of Taylorsville, several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Mishka..
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm at Alexander Funeral Service and Service will begin at 3:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Marcus Benfield officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church Cemetery.