Shirley Ann Henderson Willis, 83

Shirley Ann Henderson Willis, 83 of Fletcher, died Monday, March 25, 2019 at Universal Healthcare.

Having lived most of her life in Henderson County she was the daughter of the late Robert and Viola Henderson. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Milton Willis.

Shirley retired in 1981 from Eaton; before graduating in 1981 from Blue Ridge Community College nursing program. She was a dedicated LPN, having a 45 years career in nursing. Shirley retired from Universal Healthcare. She was awarded the Person of the Week with John Lee on WLOS in June of 2017. Shirley was an amazing mother and touched many lives; and was a proud sponsor of St. Judes always caring for other that needed help.

She is survived by a daughter, Angie Willis of Fletcher; a son, Mitchell Willis of Fletcher; three brothers, Doug Henderson of SC, Dean Henderson of Fairview, and Cecil Henderson of MS; two sisters, Vivian Henderson of Hendersonville and Sharon Henderson of CO; five grandchildren, Christopher Rumbough, Mitchell Willis, Jr., Ayden Willis , Channing Willis, and Nevaeh Willis all of Fletcher.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. of Friday, March 29, 2019 at Shepherd Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Josh Bass and Doug Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Shepherd Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

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William Henry Hudson III, 71

William Henry Hudson III, 71, beloved husband, father, and brother, passed on Sunday, March 17, 2019.

Bill loved his family, his friends, fishing, teaching, and barbecue. As a teacher of English and Drama at T.C. Roberson High School for 32 years, Bill loved his students and treasured teaching. He was also well known for his excellence at telling a great story.

He is survived by his wife Vicki; his son Jim and his wife Carrie; his granddaughter, Madison; his three sisters, Kathy, Pat, and Diane; his brother Mike; and many cousins.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.

Memorials may be made in Bill’s memory to: Four Seasons Compassion-for-Life, 581 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Dr. William David Killian, 96

Dr. William David Killian, 96, died March 17, 2019 in the Medical Center at Carolina Village after a period of declining health. A native of Lincoln County, born on May 22, 1922, he was a son of the late David Coon and Bessie Era Lantz Killian. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Shufford Killian of over 63 years in 2016. He was also preceded death by his three siblings: Frank Killian, Robert Killian and Elizabeth Killian Mosteller.

He was a graduate of Appalachian State Teacher’s College with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mathematics and Science Education respectively. Like many young men, he was called on to serve his country during World War II enlisting in the United States Navy. After his separation from duty he enrolled at NC State University and obtained another Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education. His passion for education was not simply his understanding that knowledge was not only powerful, but the sharing of knowledge to eager students was extremely rewarding to him as well. As a Vocational Agriculture Education instructor, Professor Killian’s positions allowed him and his family to reside in several cities in NC including: Lincolnton, Stony Point and Cleveland. In 1962 after accepting a teaching position at Catawba County Technical Institute (CUTI), he shifted to Administration with the acceptance of the Agricultural Technical Coordinator and then as the Director of Evening Programs of CUTI. He left CUTI long enough to complete his Doctorate studies at NC State prior to resuming his administrative duties at CUTI.

In 1969, Dr. Killian had been made aware of the plans for a community institute to be created in the Hendersonville area to provide secondary education as well as industrial training for local students and applied for the position with the current Board of the Henderson County Commissioners. He eagerly accepted the position of the first President of the Henderson County Technical Institute a public two year institution which was granted its charter with the NC State Board of Education on July 21, 1969. He successfully nurtured the institute which later became a two year college until his retirement in 1987. He was not only recognized as the President Emeritus of the College by the Trustees after his retirement, the student center which is the pulse of the campus was re-named in his honor in 1989. He was also inducted in the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame in 2002, and was a proud recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Hendersonville as well as a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian.

He is survived by his four children: William Jeffrey Killian of Alton, VA., Michael David Killian and his wife, Joella of Spotsylvania, VA., Stephen Charles Killian and his wife, Ann of Lincolnton, NC., and Susan Killian Sutton and her husband, John of Republic, MO. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Kathryn Elizabeth Sutton of Des Moines, IA., Amy Lynn Sutton of Republic, MO., and Matt Bowman Killian of Raleigh, NC., as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019 at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Greg Williams officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. The interment at Shepherd Memorial Park will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in William’s memory be directed to the Blue Ridge Educational Foundation, 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC., 28731.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

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Joseph John Schwartz, 90

Joseph John Schwartz, age 90, of Flat Rock died Monday, February 25, 2019 at The Elizabeth House.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center will announce Arrangements.

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Melinda Gail Leatherwood, 61

Melinda Gail Leatherwood, 61, of Hendersonville died on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Pardee Hospital after a period of declining health. A Henderson County native, she was born March 25. Gail was a daughter of John Herman Jr., and Mary Ann “Bunny” Burton Leatherwood. She was preceded in death by her brother, Garry Leatherwood.

Gail was a loyal “Bearcat” graduating from Hendersonville High School with the class of 1975. She then continued her education at Wingate University. She enjoyed the hospitality industry and was employed as a Food and Beverage Manager at Fatz Café in Hendersonville prior to her illness. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville and enjoyed performing with Sound of Singing Youth Group, and was a member of the B.P.O.E. #1616 Elks Lodge of Hendersonville. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

 In addition to her parents, she is also survived by a brother John Herman Leatherwood III; and a sister Carrie Lynn Leatherwood Cox and her husband, Kip all of Hendersonville.

 A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel officiated by the Reverend James Walker. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Gail’s memory be made to Pardee Oncology Department, 805 Sixth Ave. W., Suite 100, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

 An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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