A funeral service for Charles Reece Howell, III, age 88, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Born on November 27, 1936, in Lincoln County, TN, Reece was the son of the late Charles Reece Howell, Jr., and Emily Alberta Smith Howell. He was a 1955 graduate of Central High School in Fayetteville. Reece proudly served in the Tennessee National Guard and spent his life serving others through aviation, education, and community leadership. Mr. Howell passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025, at his residence.
A lifelong aviator, Reece turned a passion into a profession that spanned over five decades. In 1960, Reece along with Clyde Shelton and Wallace Cobb started Fayetteville Flying Service. He then began Corporate Flight Management in 1982, and later devoted his time to Howell Enterprises, where he dedicated his life to flight instruction and aviation safety. He became nationally recognized as the leading expert on the Mitsubishi MU-2B, logging over 33,500 total flight hours—more than 18,900 in the MU-2 alone. He flew the MU-2 in both corporate and Part 135 operations for more than 30 years and held ratings in the Learjet, BA-3100, and rotorcraft helicopters.
Reece served as a private and corporate pilot for a number of distinguished clients over the years, including CFW Corporation and the late Reverend Billy Graham, among others. His professionalism, discretion, and aviation skills made him a trusted pilot for those who demanded the very highest standards.
Highly respected in the aviation community, Reece was known for his ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity and patience. He held several FAA designations, including Pilot Examiner (since 1991), CIRE, FIE, ATPE, and SPE/SFIE. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to aviation, he was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008, received the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for more than 50 years of accident-free flying, and was named “Flight Instructor of the Year.”
Beyond aviation, Reece lived a life of service and community involvement. He served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 117, was a dedicated member of the Smyrna Rotary Club, and remained a lifelong member of the Howell Hill Church of Christ. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, whose faith and character touched countless lives.
Reece is survived by his wife, Gayle Chumbley Howell; children, Charles Reece (Karen) Howell IV of Nashville, TN, James Allen (Melanie) Howell of Murfreesboro, TN, Adele Howell (Stuart) Reed of Fayetteville, and Granville Richard (Mitzi) Howell of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Chad (Amy) Bellis, Shane (Kelly) Bellis, Ryan Howell, Dr. Katie Howell (Dr. Nathan) Lowhorn, Matthew Ryan Reed, Austin Reed, Connor (Allie) Reed, Cameron (Courtney) Howell, and Caragan (Logan) Bomar; great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Bellis, Alek Bellis, Emily Elizabeth Bellis, Ian Bellis, Blaine Reed, Braden Reed, Brevan Reed, and Caroline Reed; nieces Maria and Marta Balinski, and numerous extended family members and friends.
In addition to his parents, Reece was preceded in death by his son, David Lewis Howell; his daughter, Emily Anne Howell Bellis; and his sister, Nancy Rebecca Howell Balinski.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Charles Reece Howell, III—a man whose life was defined by faith, flight, and a dedication to excellence.
We have all lost an American original, a wonderful friend, a consummate professional airman, and an influential advocate for the aviation industry that he loved his entire life. You will surely be missed Sir!
I’m sad to see the passing of Mr. Reece. My first time being in an airplane was with him. It was in a cotton field at Vanntown, TN. He would give rides there on Sunday afternoons. That was many years ago. He pursued his passion for aviation and went on to accomplish so much. Rest in Peace Captain.
Heart breaking to say the least.
It brings tears to my eyes to lose this wonderful friend.
My brother and I were Reece’s first students when he began Howell Enterprises back in 1986. We had been flying our MU-2 for 11 years at the time and Reece really taught us the finer points of flying this great machine. I continue to to train with Howell Enterprises to this day.
Losing Reece, is like losing a dearest family member. As others have expressed, he was such a fine man.
Everyone loved Reece, his kindness, generosity, intellect, and true friendship will be sadly missed by all.
He is now on his ever lasting flight through the heavens that I know he is enjoying as he did here on earth.
Godspeed my friend!!
Reece,
Thank you for everything you taught me. I was honored and humbled when you picked me to be an instructor at Howell Enterprises. My first MU2 student was your last checkride and I will never forget it!
Blue skies and Garretts forever my friend!
We are So Sorry. I was raised up at Howell Hill and we were neighbors. He was An Amazing Person and Very Talented. God Bless the Family with Comfort and Peace in the Days to Come.
Adele: Sorry for the loss of your Dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Janice (Moore) & Brent Gregory
The World lost a Great Man
Our thoughts and prayer are with you. We are so shocked to hear about Reese. God Bless you all.
Every moment I spent with Reese was a great memory. As a student of flying and as a great soul. Reese always was that person. I went with him when he was inducted into the Tennessee aviation hall of fame. It was awesome. Reese made everyone he flew with a better aviator. More than that he is a wonderful soul.
He had that effect on everyone
Rest in peace Reese. See ya soon. You have left a lasting legacy for all of us to strive for
I am so sorry to hear we have lost such a wonderful person and a lifelong friend to me. I grew up at Howell Hill where “Little “ Reece lived years ago. I was employed at Fayetteville Flying Service as secretary for a period of time. Reece was such a joy to be around. My Mother and Daddy (Gordon and Ora Ruth Shelton) loved him so much. He ate many meals with our family years ago. My heart and prayers goes out to the family.
Richard and family, so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. I’m dating myself but I remember Mrs Emily and Mr Reese . She was the sweetest person. Always had a smile. You and your family are in my prayers
Gayle, Chuck, Karen, Allen, Adele, and Richard,
I would like to extend sincere sympathies to you all.
Reece, R3,
He was the epitome of competent confidence in life and definitely in an aircraft.
To say he had a larger than life personality, would be a gross understatement.
I owe my professional career to my father Clyde and to Charles Reece Howell III.
He taught me how to speak to people, and how to master the MU-2.
Without his mentorship, I would not have been sucessful.
He was incredibly giving of his time, skills and friendship.
He flew with 3 generations of the Shelton family.
He was my father’s best friend, my mother’s high school classmate, and a second father to me.
Reece will never be forgotten.
VFR and Tailwinds forever
Reese was a friend and a fellow pilot friend of my father, Bobby oneal who was also a tv repairman. My father owned a a orange and wite plane back in the 80s..
Sorry to hear of Reece’s passing. He was a great friend for many years.