Cover photo for Kenneth Pressley's Obituary
Kenneth Pressley Profile Photo
1932 Kenneth 2019

Kenneth Pressley

June 12, 1932 — October 26, 2019

Waynesville

Waynesville – Kenneth Herman Pressley, 87, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at his residence.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Herman Perry Pressley and Minnie Shipman Hyde.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Frankie Harkins; two step-sisters, Faye Revis and Juanita Walls; his step-father, J. Henry Hyde, and step-mother, Verna Williamson Pressley.

Kenneth retired from Champion International with 36 years of service and was a United States Air Force veteran having served in the Korean War from 1951 until 1955.

Kenneth was a member of Pigeon River Masonic Lodge #386 AF & AM, since April 21, 1966 and master of the lodge in 1981, 1994, and 2006.  He was D.D.G.M. of 63rd Masonic District in 2000, D.D.G.M. of 40th Masonic District in 2001 and 2002, honorary member of Clyde Masonic Lodge #453 AF & AM and member of Sonoma Masonic Lodge #472 AF & AM.   Kenneth was also a member of Waynesville York Rite Bodies since 1972, Past High Priest York Rite Chapter #87 in 1978, member of the Valley of Asheville Scottish Rite 32nd degree since September 24, 1977, member of Oasis Shriners of Charlotte since September 15, 1973, Haywood County Tri-County Shrine Club since December, 1973, President of Shrine Club in 1982 and 1997, member of Oasis Past Masters unit, A.A.O.N.M.S., and Ambassador Oasis Shriners, 1988, 1989 and 1990.  Kenneth was a life member of the American Legion Post 47 since 1972, member of the Waynesville Elks Lodge #1769 since 1979, Charter member of Smokey Mountain Local 507 and life member of United Paper Worker’s International Union.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mildred Hooper Pressley; a daughter, Sarra Pressley Ballard of Florida; two sons, James Pressley of Candler and Ronald Pressley of Newton Grove; one sister, Eleen Farmer of Canton; two step-sisters, Wilma Brookshire of Canton, Ann Kuehl of Newman, Georgia; a step-brother, Carroll Jenks of May’s Landing, New Jersey; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend David Russell officiating.  Masonic Rites will be conducted by Lodge #472 AF & AM and military honors rendered by the United States Air Force. Burial will follow at Bethel Community Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.

The care of Mr. Pressley has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Pressley, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

Wells Funeral Homes, Inc. & Cremation Services

3715 Asheville Hwy, Canton, NC 28716

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home

3715 Asheville Hwy, Canton, NC 28716

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Burial

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Starts at 12:54 pm (Eastern time)

Bethel Community Cemetery

5868 Pigeon Rd, Canton, NC 28716

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