Billy Joe Atway

BILLY JOE ATHAY WOODCARVER DUCKS-WATER FOWL-FISH In the early 70’s Billy Joe became interested in carving Ducks/Water Fowl. We visited Salisbury State College in Salisbury, Md., where the Ward Brothers Museum was at that time. Billy Joe, being the out-going person—never met a stranger—called Lem Ward –struck up a friendship and we later visited him and his daughter Ida Linton at their home in Crisfield, Md. We went to the World Carving Show every year in Ocean City, Md. and Billy Joe won many ribbons. It was quite fantastic—carvers from all over the eastern U. S. (Harve de Grace, Md./Slidell, LA./New York). There were many artists involved in Wild Fowl (carvers, painters, photographers, jewelry, leather, etc.). Billy Joe joined the Tarheel Woodcarvers Club which met in Kernersville at that time (now meets in Thomasville). Two of the original members of the Tarheel Woodcarver Club were women—sisters—one is now deceased, but the other is living at Givens Estates (a United Methodist Retirement Home in Asheville). Not only did Billy Joe carve, he was an excellent artist, too – paintings, etc. before he began carving and also painted his carvings (some carvers have others to do the painting—a lot of the time it is husband/wife artists—one the carver and the other the painter and now there are a lot more women who are carving). Billy Joe, together with current members Wayne Covert and Charles Myers, organized the Davidson County Woodcarvers Club in 1990. In December 1991, at the Christmas Party which was held at the home of Billy Joe, the 1st ” Billy Joe Athay Award – Woodcarver of the Year Award” was given to Wayne Covert. This award was presented by Billy Joe. Billy Joe died on July 28, 1992 and this Club has continued to present a “Billy Joe Athay Woodcarver Award” each year. Billy Joe would have been so proud of the Club.