Willard Spurgin Burgin, 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Old Fort on Monday, March 3, 2014 with his two girls at his side. Willard was born to the late Montaville (Mont) Garfield and Ella Gilliam Burgin on September 24, 1917 in the Mount Hebron Community of Old Fort, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, Willard is preceded in death by three brothers, Grady Burgin, Paul Burgin and Howard Burgin and an infant brother, Cletus Burgin. Willard was also preceded in death by "the love of his life", Katie Clark Burgin. She was his friend and companion and together they shard 46 wonderful years of marriage before her death in 1994.
Surviving Willard is one sister, Viola Souther of Old Fort; two daughters, Ann Burgin Huffstutter and husband Bill of Asheville and Rose Burgin Caplan and husband Hank of Old Fort; three grandchildren, Brad Allison and wife Venetia of Marion, Shala Allison of Charlotte and Chad Caplan and fiancée, Anne Parsons of Morrison, Colorado; one great grandson, Blake Allison of Greensboro; one sister-in-law, Ruth Burgin of Rodeo, California and a number of very special nieces and nephews also survive. He was "Uncle Willard" to many.
Willard joined the Army in 1935 and was discharged on his birthday in 1945. Willard served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was a member of the 29th Infantry Regiment and served as a Platoon Sergeant. He also served in an anti-tank company. Willard earned numerous medals while serving in WWII, including four Bronze Star's and was always eager to show them to visitors and share all his stories of his years in service.
Willard was a member of the local VFW for 24 years and a member of the American Legion for 16 years. He served at over twelve hundred military funerals, sold poppies and put American flags on the graves of the deceased McDowell County veterans for more than 30 years. He loved serving his country and has remained a "solider at heart" all his life.
Willard retired from Old Fort Finishing Plant in 1979 where he worked for 32 years. He loved to grow rhodendron and azaleas. He always had two vegetable gardens and enjoyed canning and freezing his crop. He made the best apple butter around and usually made several batches a week just so he could give it away to family and friends. He worked hard all his life, never took the easy way out and often said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". He lived his faith and felt it a duty to give back and help others.
He loved his family and spending time with them. He loved his church, Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church, where he had attended all his life. Before declining health stopped him, he could always be found on Friday nights at Old Fort Mountain Music or at a McDowell High School basketball or football game with friends and during the day could often be found on the golf course or in his garden. He loved going to the Burgin-Lytle and Gilliam Family reunions every year.
His two special caregivers, Shirley Greene and Melissa Burleson have not only helped to care for him, but been his very special "buddies" the last months of his life. Their love and kindness will never be forgotten. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at Hospice of McDowell, the love, care and respect you gave was beyond expectations.
Willard loved everyone and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a kind, gentle and loving man who was always grateful for the wonderful family and life God had given him. He was a man of few words, but his life was one of example.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Westmoreland Funeral Home – Old Fort Chapel.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church with Pastor Todd Hinson and Willard's nephew, Wayne Fender officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Rutherford County Honor Guard, will follow at Cherry Springs Memorial Park.
Surviving Willard is one sister, Viola Souther of Old Fort; two daughters, Ann Burgin Huffstutter and husband Bill of Asheville and Rose Burgin Caplan and husband Hank of Old Fort; three grandchildren, Brad Allison and wife Venetia of Marion, Shala Allison of Charlotte and Chad Caplan and fiancée, Anne Parsons of Morrison, Colorado; one great grandson, Blake Allison of Greensboro; one sister-in-law, Ruth Burgin of Rodeo, California and a number of very special nieces and nephews also survive. He was "Uncle Willard" to many.
Willard joined the Army in 1935 and was discharged on his birthday in 1945. Willard served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was a member of the 29th Infantry Regiment and served as a Platoon Sergeant. He also served in an anti-tank company. Willard earned numerous medals while serving in WWII, including four Bronze Star's and was always eager to show them to visitors and share all his stories of his years in service.
Willard was a member of the local VFW for 24 years and a member of the American Legion for 16 years. He served at over twelve hundred military funerals, sold poppies and put American flags on the graves of the deceased McDowell County veterans for more than 30 years. He loved serving his country and has remained a "solider at heart" all his life.
Willard retired from Old Fort Finishing Plant in 1979 where he worked for 32 years. He loved to grow rhodendron and azaleas. He always had two vegetable gardens and enjoyed canning and freezing his crop. He made the best apple butter around and usually made several batches a week just so he could give it away to family and friends. He worked hard all his life, never took the easy way out and often said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". He lived his faith and felt it a duty to give back and help others.
He loved his family and spending time with them. He loved his church, Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church, where he had attended all his life. Before declining health stopped him, he could always be found on Friday nights at Old Fort Mountain Music or at a McDowell High School basketball or football game with friends and during the day could often be found on the golf course or in his garden. He loved going to the Burgin-Lytle and Gilliam Family reunions every year.
His two special caregivers, Shirley Greene and Melissa Burleson have not only helped to care for him, but been his very special "buddies" the last months of his life. Their love and kindness will never be forgotten. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at Hospice of McDowell, the love, care and respect you gave was beyond expectations.
Willard loved everyone and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a kind, gentle and loving man who was always grateful for the wonderful family and life God had given him. He was a man of few words, but his life was one of example.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Westmoreland Funeral Home – Old Fort Chapel.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church with Pastor Todd Hinson and Willard's nephew, Wayne Fender officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Rutherford County Honor Guard, will follow at Cherry Springs Memorial Park.
Willard Spurgin Burgin, 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Old Fort on Monday, March 3, 2014 with his two girls at his side. Willard was born to the late Montaville (Mont) Garfield and Ella Gilliam Burgin on September 24, 1917 in the Mount Hebron Community of Old Fort, North Carolina. In addition to his parents, Willard is preceded in death by three brothers, Grady Burgin, Paul Burgin and Howard Burgin and an infant brother, Cletus Burgin. Willard was also preceded in death by "the love of his life", Katie Clark Burgin. She was his friend and companion and together they shard 46 wonderful years of marriage before her death in 1994.
Surviving Willard is one sister, Viola Souther of Old Fort; two daughters, Ann Burgin Huffstutter and husband Bill of Asheville and Rose Burgin Caplan and husband Hank of Old Fort; three grandchildren, Brad Allison and wife Venetia of Marion, Shala Allison of Charlotte and Chad Caplan and fiancée, Anne Parsons of Morrison, Colorado; one great grandson, Blake Allison of Greensboro; one sister-in-law, Ruth Burgin of Rodeo, California and a number of very special nieces and nephews also survive. He was "Uncle Willard" to many.
Willard joined the Army in 1935 and was discharged on his birthday in 1945. Willard served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was a member of the 29th Infantry Regiment and served as a Platoon Sergeant. He also served in an anti-tank company. Willard earned numerous medals while serving in WWII, including four Bronze Star's and was always eager to show them to visitors and share all his stories of his years in service.
Willard was a member of the local VFW for 24 years and a member of the American Legion for 16 years. He served at over twelve hundred military funerals, sold poppies and put American flags on the graves of the deceased McDowell County veterans for more than 30 years. He loved serving his country and has remained a "solider at heart" all his life.
Willard retired from Old Fort Finishing Plant in 1979 where he worked for 32 years. He loved to grow rhodendron and azaleas. He always had two vegetable gardens and enjoyed canning and freezing his crop. He made the best apple butter around and usually made several batches a week just so he could give it away to family and friends. He worked hard all his life, never took the easy way out and often said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". He lived his faith and felt it a duty to give back and help others.
He loved his family and spending time with them. He loved his church, Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church, where he had attended all his life. Before declining health stopped him, he could always be found on Friday nights at Old Fort Mountain Music or at a McDowell High School basketball or football game with friends and during the day could often be found on the golf course or in his garden. He loved going to the Burgin-Lytle and Gilliam Family reunions every year.
His two special caregivers, Shirley Greene and Melissa Burleson have not only helped to care for him, but been his very special "buddies" the last months of his life. Their love and kindness will never be forgotten. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at Hospice of McDowell, the love, care and respect you gave was beyond expectations.
Willard loved everyone and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a kind, gentle and loving man who was always grateful for the wonderful family and life God had given him. He was a man of few words, but his life was one of example.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Westmoreland Funeral Home – Old Fort Chapel.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church with Pastor Todd Hinson and Willard's nephew, Wayne Fender officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Rutherford County Honor Guard, will follow at Cherry Springs Memorial Park.
Surviving Willard is one sister, Viola Souther of Old Fort; two daughters, Ann Burgin Huffstutter and husband Bill of Asheville and Rose Burgin Caplan and husband Hank of Old Fort; three grandchildren, Brad Allison and wife Venetia of Marion, Shala Allison of Charlotte and Chad Caplan and fiancée, Anne Parsons of Morrison, Colorado; one great grandson, Blake Allison of Greensboro; one sister-in-law, Ruth Burgin of Rodeo, California and a number of very special nieces and nephews also survive. He was "Uncle Willard" to many.
Willard joined the Army in 1935 and was discharged on his birthday in 1945. Willard served in the 1st Army under General Hodges and in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was a member of the 29th Infantry Regiment and served as a Platoon Sergeant. He also served in an anti-tank company. Willard earned numerous medals while serving in WWII, including four Bronze Star's and was always eager to show them to visitors and share all his stories of his years in service.
Willard was a member of the local VFW for 24 years and a member of the American Legion for 16 years. He served at over twelve hundred military funerals, sold poppies and put American flags on the graves of the deceased McDowell County veterans for more than 30 years. He loved serving his country and has remained a "solider at heart" all his life.
Willard retired from Old Fort Finishing Plant in 1979 where he worked for 32 years. He loved to grow rhodendron and azaleas. He always had two vegetable gardens and enjoyed canning and freezing his crop. He made the best apple butter around and usually made several batches a week just so he could give it away to family and friends. He worked hard all his life, never took the easy way out and often said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". He lived his faith and felt it a duty to give back and help others.
He loved his family and spending time with them. He loved his church, Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church, where he had attended all his life. Before declining health stopped him, he could always be found on Friday nights at Old Fort Mountain Music or at a McDowell High School basketball or football game with friends and during the day could often be found on the golf course or in his garden. He loved going to the Burgin-Lytle and Gilliam Family reunions every year.
His two special caregivers, Shirley Greene and Melissa Burleson have not only helped to care for him, but been his very special "buddies" the last months of his life. Their love and kindness will never be forgotten. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at Hospice of McDowell, the love, care and respect you gave was beyond expectations.
Willard loved everyone and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a kind, gentle and loving man who was always grateful for the wonderful family and life God had given him. He was a man of few words, but his life was one of example.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Westmoreland Funeral Home – Old Fort Chapel.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Hebron Wesleyan Church with Pastor Todd Hinson and Willard's nephew, Wayne Fender officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Rutherford County Honor Guard, will follow at Cherry Springs Memorial Park.
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