Gene Ledford

Waynesville, Eugene Ledford, age 83, died Friday, February 13, 2009 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Gene was a native of Cherokee County and the son of the late Joe and Emma Lunsford Ledford. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. Mr. Ledford attended Western Carolina University and Blanton's Business School and retired from Dayco Corporation as an Assistant Chemist with 35 years service. He was a WWII Army Veteran having received the rank of Staff Sergeant in the 1st Ranger Infantry Batallion. During WWII he was wounded in Maritaine, France and St. Loe, Belgium where he received the following medals: two purple hearts, Bronze Star, Silver Star and a Crox De Guerre Badge and was then awarded the distinguished merit award. He was an avid hunter and fisherman which he especially enjoyed doing with his sons. He loved his grandchildren, the mountains of WNC and enjoyed spending time with his friends outdoors. He was a member of Ninevah Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board and was Superintendent of Sunday School for 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie S. Ledford; two sons, Heyward Ledford and his wife, Eunice, of Waynesville and Britt Ledford, and his wife, Pilar of Lindale, TX; sister-in-law Betty Ledford; great niece Morgan Lewis; and five grandchildren, Caroline and Margot Ledford, Della, Julian and Emma Ledford. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2009 at Ninevah Baptist Church with Reverend Mike Leslie and Reverend Claude Conard officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and at other times at the residence. Serving as pallbearers will be Mack Noland, Steve Davis, Mike Franklin, Danny Kelly, Chester Sorrells and Roger Hampton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Heyward Smith, Dowel McElroy, Andy Brown, Dr. Michael Brown, Wesley Williamson and Keith Moore. Memorials may be made to Ninevah Baptist Church Building Fund, 931 Country Club Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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