Harry Lee Birchfield, 88, loving husband, father, and grandfather, of Ruritan Dr., Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, February 22, 2007, at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health.

He was born in Haywood County, NC on July 31, 1918 and was a son of the late Lee Turner Birchfield and Eliza Reece Birchfield.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and seven sisters.

Mr. Birchfield was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II serving with the 7th Armored Division in Europe. He earned four bronze service stars for his war service in Northern France, the Battle of the Bulge-Ardennes Forest, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.

Harry loved nature and the outdoors.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Geraldine Inman Birchfield, of the home; sons and their wives, Roy and Robin Birchfield, of Granite Falls and Bill and Renee Birchfield of Florence, SC; daughters, Linda Causby and her husband, Eddie, and Carol Bollinger all of Morganton, and Shirley Bishop and her husband, Rick, of Nebo; a brother and his wife, Lawrence and Louise Birchfield, a sister, Julie Sorrells, all of Canton, NC twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Dr. David Mills, Rev. Eddy Bunton, and Rev. Rick Bishop officiating.

Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Post #234 in Valdese.

The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral. At other times the family will be at the home of Linda and Eddie Causby, 4183 Denton's Chapel Rd., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.