Willis Ray Greene

Willis Ray Greene, 83 of Drexel Road, Valdese passed away Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Burke Palliative Care Center following a period of declining health. He was born in Watauga County on May 19, 1925 and was a son of the late Robert Warren Greene and Lilly Dishman Greene. Mr. Greene was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired after being self-employed for many years as an owner/operator in the trucking industry. Willis was a member of Drexel Memorial Baptist Church and truly loved his church family.Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Janie and Ronnie Perry; grandsons and their wives, Jack and Dawn Perry and Jay and Lee Ann Perry. Mr. Greene was blessed with four very special great-grandsons of whom he was so proud, Avery, Wakefield, Grant, and Jake Perry. Also surviving are one brother and his wife, Roy Lee and Betty Greene, of Salisbury, NC; four sisters and their husbands, Lucille and Homer Smith of Salisbury, Joyce and Truett Coffey of Mountain City, TN, Rachel and Bill Townsend, and Lois Ann Hodges, of Banner Elk, NC; special friends, Kaye Penley and Greg Helton; and numerous nieces, nephews, several special cousins, and many friends.In addition to his parents, Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Emogene Swift Greene; an infant grandson, Kenneth Brian Perry; and brothers, Henry Lawrence Greene and George Wayne Greene.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2008, at Drexel Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Chapman officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the service. At other times the family will be at the home of Ronnie and Janie Perry, 508 Bost Rd., Morganton. Memorials contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Building Fund, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.The family wishes to express their appreciation to all of Mr. Greene’s wonderful neighbors, friends, and caregivers. Anyone who knew him well knew his favorite pastimes were working on his vehicles and spending time with his faithful canine companions, Little Girl and Timer. Your faithfulness and watchful eye gave him added days to be at home doing what he liked to do best.