W. Edwin "Ed" Hoyle

W. Edwin "Ed" Hoyle, 89, of Zion Road, Morganton, NC died Friday, December 24, 2010 at the Burke Palliative Care Center after an extended illness. Born in Cleveland County, NC on October 10, 1921, he was the son of the late John H. Hoyle and Martha Wortman Hoyle. Ed was an active member of Amherst Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of the Pacific Theatre of WWII. He was awarded the American Theater Service Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, two Purple Hearts, the Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars. In 1985, Ed retired from Drexel Heritage Furniture Superintendent Plant #1, Drexel, NC after 46 years of employment with Drexel Heritage.Ed is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marie Taylor Hoyle of the home; a daughter, Wanda Hoyle Nichols of Morganton; a brother, R.C. Hoyle of Icard, NC; a sister, Irene Hoyle of Casar, NC; and a number of nephews and nieces.In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by four brothers and five sisters.A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Burke Memorial Park with Rev. Harold Joplin officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sossoman Funeral Home from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amherst Baptist Church, 1024 Amherst Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.