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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 24, 2014

Anna Lee McKinney Shook (March 12, 1942 – Sept. 24, 2014) 

Anna Lee McKinney Shook, 72, of R.J. Aldridge Road, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, 2014, at her home.

Funeral arrangements for Anne Lee McKinney Shook are incomplete at this time.

Online condolences may be sent to the Shook family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Rachel Cash Hawes (March 20, 1923 – Sept. 23, 2014) 

Rachel Cash Hawes, 91, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 23, 2014, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone.

Funeral arrangements for Rachel Cash Hawes are incomplete at this time.

Online condolences may be sent to the Hawes family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Tony A. Ward (Jan. 30, 1961 – Sept. 21, 2014) 

Ward
Ward

Tony Ward, 53, of 3710 Howard’s Creek Road, Boone, passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 21, 2014, at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Tony was born Jan. 30, 1961 in Watauga County, a son of Thelma Jean Presnell Ward and the late Wilbern Lee Ward, Sr. He was an employee of Farmers Rental and Power Equipment, in Boone, and served in the United States Air Force.

Tony is survived by his mother, Thelma J. Ward of Deep Gap; one sister, Regina Mettam and husband Charles of Boone; five brothers, Rickey Lee Ward of Boone, Gary D. Ward and wife Charlotte of Fletcher, Wilbern A. Ward, Jr. and wife Betty of Butler, Richard Ward and wife Joy of Gastonia, and Wayne Ward and wife Christy of Hickory, and special co-workers, Bob and JoAnne Phillips, Steve Greene, Cecil Greene, and Bill Wallace. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Sgt. Larry Grant Ward and John Basil Ward.

Funeral services for Tony A. Ward will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Eric Proffit. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by the United States Air Force, American Legion Post 130, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ward family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Wanda C. Hamby (Nov. 22, 1955 – Sept. 21, 2014) 

Hamby
Hamby

Wanda Church Hamby, 58, of Mt. Zion Lane, Deep Gap, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 21, 2014 at home. Wanda was born Nov. 22, 1955 in Wilkes County to Lawrence and Gertrude White Church. Mrs. Hamby was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Doyce Hamby of the home; son, Allen Hamby and girl-friend, Ashley Hall, of Purlear; and daughter, Susan Miller and husband, Luke, of Boone; five sisters, Debra Hill of Mocksville, Linda McGee of Ferguson, Christine Craven of Millers Creek, Cathy Foster and Reba Golds, both of Purlear; four brothers, Gwynn Church, Wayne Church, and Bruce Church, all of Purlear, and Don Church of Hamptonville; and two grandchildren, Madison and Lucas Miller of Boone.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. at Stony Fork Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. David Vannoy and Rev. Billy Norris. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m., prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, % Dennis Winebarger, PO Box 508, Boone, NC 28607, or to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Dr., Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the Hamby family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hamby family.

William D. Ward, Jr. (Jan. 05, 1934 – Sept. 20, 2014) 

Mr. William Dayton “Bill” Ward, Jr., 80, of Ward Greene Road, Vilas, passed away Saturday evening, Sept. 20, 2014 at his home. Born Jan. 5, 1934, he was a son of the late William D. Ward, Sr., and Elisa Clay Ward. Bill was a heavy equipment operator.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Nadine Blevins Ward, 7 children, Billy Ward, Darlene Ward and Elaine Ward Chandler and husband Larry all of Winston-Salem, Terry Ward of Rural Hall, Chris Ward and Jeannie Ward both of Walnut Cove and Misty Ward of Vilas, one sister, Willarea Trivette and husband Dexter of Vilas, 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dayton Ward, Sr., and Elsia Clay, one sister, Betty Lou Johnson and two brothers, Jimmy and Jackie Ward.

Funeral services for Mr. William Dayton “Bill” Ward will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Dr., Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the Ward family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ward family.
Howard P. Armel (April 14, 1946 – Sept. 19, 2014) 

Mr. Howard P. Armel, 68, of Key Largo, Fla., died Friday Sept. 19, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center.

Mr. Armel is survived by his wife, Janis Dunlap Armel, of the home.

A memorial service for Mr. Howard Armel will be held at a latter date.

Online condolences may be sent to the Armel family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

William Claude Miller (Dec. 24, 1946 – Sept. 16, 2014)

William Claude Miller, 67, of Deep Gap, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center. Born Dec. 24, 1946 in Watauga County, he was a son of Claude and Pauline Day Miller. William was a heavy equipment operator, a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church, and a member of Ashler Masonic Lodge.

Miller
Miller

William served in the US Army during the Viet Nam Era as a helicopter welding technician.

He was a man of many talents; welder, auto mechanic, auctioneer, fireman, and stove builder, but his passion was operating heavy equipment, just as his father had done. William loved collecting ‘stuff’, such as metal, toys, tools, etc. He loved animals and children, and loved watching TV.

Mr. Miller is survived by his companion and caregiver, Sherry Barker of Deep Gap; ‘special children’, Jessica and Scott Vannoy, Alicia and Derek Trivette, and their sons, Joseph and Bryne, and Shelia and Kevin Howell, all of West Jefferson; ‘special son’ Jose ‘Kenny’ Rios and his daughter, Samantha; special friends, Caroleen Watson, Mary Trivette, Jim Smith and Dewitt Cox; special cousin, Danny Wellborn; special sisters, Betty Hollars and Zola ‘Fred’ Weatherman.; and his ‘sometimes’ faithful poodle, Lucy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two cousins, Jimmy Miller and Jimmy Trivette.

Funeral services for William C. Miller will be conducted Sunday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Mr. Sam Lawson. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1:30 to 3 p.m., prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Masonic graveside services by Ashler Masonic Lodge # 373 and military graveside honors provided by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 and American Legion Post 130 will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, 136 Bear Trail, Boone, NC 28607, or to Watauga Humane Society, Post Office Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the Miller family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Miller family.