Feb. 7 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Norman Willie

Ridgecrest

Rev. Norman Willie of Ridgecrest, NC, died on Saturday, January 26 in the Hospice Unit of the Veterans Medical Center. Rev. Willie was born in Elizabethton, TN in 1933 and born again 16 years later in a revival service there. He was a graduate of Miami Senior High School, Miami, Florida and joined the Air Force soon thereafter.

After his military service, he graduated from Limestone College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. For almost 40 years, he served in Southern Baptist churches across the South beginning as Janitor/Music Director in the 2nd Baptist Church of Fort Mill, SC and retiring as Pastor from the First Baptist Church, Newport, KY. In retirement he served as Interim Pastor to several local congregations.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; four adult children, Martha Carrell (Bill) of Temple, TX, Mark of Lafayette, GA, Stephen (Susan) of Ridgecrest, and David of Arlington, TX; 6 grandchildren and families which include 6 great grandchildren.

A tribute by one of his sons, “My hero has finished the race. Every hurdle cleared, he crossed the finish line with his head held high, his chest out and his arms wide open as he leaped into the arms of his Savior. Wrapping up in a huge hug and hearing that soft voice say, “Well done, well done.”

The family received friends on Feb. 1, at First Baptist Church, Black Mountain with a memorial service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, 101 North Ridgeway Avenue, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.