Wilson Edward Deal

Wilson Edward Deal, born May 10, 1920 in Catawba County to the late Prince E. Deal, Sr. and Grace Burns Deal, passed away peacefully at his home on Enon Road in Valdese on April 14, 2010 after a period of declining health.Surviving are Wilma Franklin Deal, his loving wife of 71 years; daughters, Martha and husband, David (Rosie) Howell, of Valdese, Jennie Duncan of Morganton, and Joyce McCall of Drexel; grandchildren and their spouses, Susan and Joe Schwind, Cindy and Tom Randolph, Julie and Skip French, Jennifer and Brent Fulbright, Angie and Jason Webb, and Andy and Stephanie McCall; great-grandchildren, Joey and Chelsea Schwind, Will and Callie Carswell, Thomas, Jr. and Julia Randolph, Erika and Emilee French, Grant, Blane, Brentani and Kreg Fulbright, Connor and Macey Webb, and Makynna McCall. Wilson is also survived by a brother, Prince E. Deal, Jr. and his wife, Bertha, of Valdese; a sister, Mary McClelland, of Tucson, AZ; sisters-in-law, Aileen Deal and Montene Deal; a brother-in-law, Lyvon Deal and wife, Millie, of Valdese; a step-brother, Rev. Larry McCaw and Maxine, an uncle Harrison Burns and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, James Edward Deal, brothers, Gilbert and Richard Deal; sisters, Pauline Brown and Jane Deal; and step-mother, Margaret McCaw Deal. Wilson loved and was very devoted to his wife, his family, his church, his country, and his community. He was employed with Drexel-Heritage for over 33 years as Plant 1 Quality Control Supervisor. For many years, he and his wife also operated Midway Grocery.Wilson loved the Lord and his church. He was an active member of the Drexel First Church of God since birth in 1920—almost 90 years. He received an award in 2009 for having perfect attendance for 20 consecutive years in Sunday School. Wilson was also a faithful member of the church choir for 72 years and the Men’s Bible Class, serving as treasurer.Wilson was respected and loved by many. His family knows their Dad, their grandfather, and their great-grandfather taught them both by word and example the way one should live their life—loving the Lord, their family, their church, their community, and their country.The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2010, at Drexel First Church of God with Reverend Don Smith and Reverend Colin Deal officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Children’s Choir or Hand Bell Choir at Drexel First Church of God, PO Box 218, Drexel, NC 28619.