Bill H. Ramsey

LENOIR - The Lord took Bill H. Ramsey, 79, of Sawmills, home Monday, July 20, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center. Bill was born in Avery County to the late Will M. Ramsey and Naomi Berry Ramsey. He was the retired owner and founder of Bill's Plumbing Co. In dedication to his Lord, he served faithfully as deacon and trustee at Dry Ponds Baptist Church. Being active in his community, he was elected as the first mayor of Sawmills and was a member on the Sawmills Sanitary District, a Sawmills Town Councilman and volunteer fireman at Sawmills Fire Department. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Ramsey; five brothers, Adam, John, Lester, Russ and Jake Ramsey; and two sisters, Julia Mae Wilson and Ruth Brandon. Survivors include his dedicated wife, Maecile Smith Ramsey of the home; two sons, Tony Ramsey and wife, Kathy, of Sawmills and Mike Ramsey and wife, Patty, of Hudson; a brother, Boyd Ramsey of Banner Elk; three sisters, Bea Allen of Hudson, Bessie Bentley of Banner Elk and Doris Taylor of Sugar Mountain No. 2; and four loving grandchildren, Mindy, Connie, Chelsey and Taylor. The funeral service for our beloved will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at Dry Ponds Baptist Church, with Dr. Rick Crouse and the Rev. Doug Turnmire officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight, Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Dry Ponds Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Neil Annas, Larry Wilson, Don Turnmire, Jerry Anderson, Whitey Brittain and Rex Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Roy White Sunday school class and active and retired members of Sawmills Fire Department. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dry Ponds Baptist Church, Children's Music Program, 5235 Union Church Road, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630. Pendry's Funeral Home is assisting the Ramsey family with arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.dignitymemorial.com\2320.