William G. Abernathy

CONNELLY SPRINGS - William Gary Abernathy, 73, of Connelly Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, while in the care of the Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. Gary was born May 28, 1936, in Catawba County to the late William Love Abernathy and Mildred Maggie Powell Abernathy. He served his country honorably in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army and was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church. Gary was active in his community, serving as an alderman for the town of Connelly Springs. He was a master woodworker who enjoyed building clocks and had worked many years as a poultry farmer. Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed. Along with his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Clara Lee Smith Abernathy, and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Abernathy. Those left behind to cherish his memory include two sons, William Alan Abernathy and his wife, Judy, and Russell Glenn Abernathy and his wife, Leigh Anne; a daughter, Sandra Lee Abernathy Spann and her husband, Roger, all of Connelly Springs; a sister, Barbara Byro and her husband, Thomas, of Morganton; an uncle, Wayne Powell and his wife, Clara, of Drexel; an aunt, Norma Hice of Valdese; special friends, Mike and Reba Fullbright of Hildebran; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are numerous other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bobby Hallyburton officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by members of Valdese American Legion's Post 234 Ceremonial Team, will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family received friends at the church Tuesday evening. Memorials may be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 267, 6908 Oak Ridge Church Road, Connelly Springs, N.C. 28612. Kirksey Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Abernathy family. Online condolences may be made at www.kirkseyfh.com.