Wilce Mcgaha

Wilce McGaha, 96, born to Riley and Caledonia McGaha on June 13, 1923 at Mt. Sterling, North Carolina, passed to his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Frances Roberts McGaha; sisters, Ada Keener and Beatrice White; brothers, Angelo and Hilliard McGaha, who was killed in WWII, Paul and Doyle Hannah.  Wilce spent the majority of his life in Haywood County and dearly loved the mountains.  He was one of the last true mountaineers and enjoyed telling friends and family about the history of families, interesting lifestyles and people from his youth.  He was a skilled gardener and generously shared the harvest with others.  He was also a carpenter and wood worker, building two homes and much of his own furniture.

Wilce proudly served his country from 1944 to 1946 as a light tank crewman in the 2nd Calvary Recon Squadron, described as the spearhead for General Patton’s Ghost Army, in battles throughout Central Europe, Rhineland, the Battle of the Bulge for which he received numerous medals.  During his tours he suffered a gunshot and lost most of his hearing but refused several offers to return home.  When discharged, he worked as a farmer and retired from Wellco with 33 years of dedicated service.

He was a lifelong member of Dellwood Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School and serving as a deacon for 60 years.  He was awarded the Deacon Emeritus certificate in September 2019.  His favorite quote was "I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world offers", and his life reflected his faith because reading the Bible and serving others was his source of peace and joy.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Mary Sanderson; grandson, Josh Sanderson, both of Moore, South Carolina; sister, Lillian Hopkins, of New Jersey; brother, Estle Hannah, of Virginia; along with many nieces and nephews who loved and admired their Uncle Wilce.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2019 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Bobby Rogers and Reverend Barry Willett officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until service time at the funeral home.  Serving as pallbearers will be Dellwood Baptist Church deacons.

The care of Mr. McGaha has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.