Joel Setzer

Waynesville, Joel Hyde Setzer, 94, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Raymond Lee Setzer and Estelle Hyde Setzer Allison.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Burchfield Setzer, who died in 1973; two brothers, Bobby Setzer and Edwin Allison; his son-in-law, Doug Hampton.  Joel proudly served his county in the United States Navy during WWII.  He retired from Dayco with 35 years of service in 1988 as an electrician.  He was of the Methodist faith and was a member and Past Master of the Waynesville Masonic Lodge #259.  Joel was a member of the Scottish Rite in Asheville, the Waynesville Oak Leaf Chapter and was past Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star.  He loved hunting and fishing throughout the mountains of North Carolina.

Joel is survived by three daughters, Brenda Robertson (Mike), of Skyland, Sherry Lee McConnell (Lewis), of Fountain, Florida and Debra Jean Hampton, of Leicester; a sister, Betty Ferguson, of Maggie Valley; one brother, Leroy Setzer, of Waynesville; two sister-in-law’s, Ann Setzer, of Cullowhee and Betty Allison, of Clyde; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Masonic Rites and Naval Military Rites to follow at the funeral home.  Inurnment will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or Shriners Burn Center for Children, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229; or Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

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