Walter Forney Ramseur

Walter Forney Ramseur, 95, of Morganton died Thursday January 17, 2019, at Grace Ridge Retirement Community following a brief illness.  He was born in Burke County, July 19, 1923, to William Forney and Esther Simpson Ramseur.

He attended Oak Hill Elementary, Morganton High School and graduated from N.C. State College with a degree in Dairy Manufacturing in 1947.  His college education was interrupted when his junior class of ROTC students was called to active duty during World War II.  While in the Army Air Corps he served as a navigator on a B-24.  After returning to college, graduating, and working in the dairy processing business for two years, he joined the newly formed US Air Force for flight training to become a pilot.  After he left the Air Force he achieved his ambition as a pilot and spent a long career with United Airlines.   For much of his career he flew out of San Francisco and made many flights to his favorite Hawaiian Islands.  He owned and flew a private plane until he was 92 years old, and flew it cross country from San Francisco to Morganton when 82 years old.  Walter was a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and a member of United Flying Octogenarians.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Lynn Ramseur, the mother of his children, Barbara Jean Ramseur, his last wife Mary Griffin Ramseur and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Myrtle Ramseur.

Walter is survived by his son, Steven Ramseur of Eugene, Oregon and daughter, Shari Ramseur of Morganton, and his step children, John Griffin, Mary Griffin Eid, Zack Griffin of California.  Also surviving are brother George Ramseur and wife Ruth of Sewanee, Tennessee, Henry Ramseur and wife, Penina of Morganton and sister Nancy Ramseur McMurray and husband Birch of Morganton.  In addition a number of nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren survive.

Many areas of interest and support included Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church, Rotary International as a Paul Harris Society member, N. C. State Alumni Association as a lifetime member, Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind and Rose Villa Foundation in Portland, Oregon.  He flew for the San Mateo County Sheriff Deputy (California) Air Squadron for search and rescue missions.  He served many years with the SpiritCare Ministry to Seniors of San Mateo County, California. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, at Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2698 NC 181 North, Morganton followed by a reception of friends.   The Rev. Lynn Webber, Grace Ridge Chaplain will conduct the service.  His remains will be placed in the Forney Family Cemetery on Bost Road.

Memorials may be made to Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2398 NC 181 North, Morganton, NC 28655.