George Walter Killian Sr.

George Walter Killian, Sr., 89, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, formerly of Alexandria, Indiana, went home to be with the Savior he loved dearly on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
He was born on December 14, 1935, in Knox, Indiana, to Alfred LaMar Killian and May Belle (Geller) Killian and graduated from Tyner High School in 1954. He served three years in the United States Army, stationed in Japan, as a diesel mechanic. He was a career "fixer" and worked at Foust Auto before opening George's True Value Hardware Store in Alexandria. He was the maintenance engineer at St. John's Hospital in Anderson, Indiana, before retiring. If it was broken, George knew how to fix it. He loved working with his hands and built beautiful bookcases for all his children in the workshop at his first home in North Carolina, right beside Pearl's beloved I.U. basketball court. He loved helping his son Kevin build all sorts of things, from cars to cabanas, and he had the scars to prove it. He loved gardening and supplying everyone at church with cucumbers and tomatoes, which he hated. The grandkids spent countless hours riding four-wheelers, watching and playing sports, raiding the two refrigerators and freezers, and swimming in the backyard pool of grandpa's house.
George was above all a passionate singer and worship leader. He led worship at the Alexandria Church of God, Calvary Community Church in Alexandria, Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene, and at every Killian reunion. Whenever the family would gather, George was ready to lead the singing of old hymns and praise choruses. He wanted nothing more than to worship the LORD with all his heart and see all his family come into relationship with Jesus Christ. He lived a life worthy of his calling, caring for his family, especially his wife of 66 years who has dementia. Though she may not realize he is gone, she waves to the TV whenever she hears and sees him sing. He was a loving and gentle caregiver to the very last day of his life. We are confident that he ran into the arms of Jesus singing "What a day that will be when my Jesus I [now] see!"
In 1959, he married the love of his life, Pearl (Shei) Killian and they raised four children, Michelle Ann Fairchild of North Carolina, George W. Killian, Jr., (Joni Brown) of Huntington, IN, Kevin Lee Killian (Joni Hensley) of North Carolina, and Brian LaMar Killian of North Carolina, all of whom survive. After retiring, George and Pearl moved to North Carolina to be near family. George is survived by his two brothers, Charles (Jane) Killian of Raleigh, North Carolina, William (Linda) Killian of Tucson, AZ, and one sister Patricia (Joseph) Schultz of Elizabethton, TN; thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one on the way, as well as several nieces and nephews. George is preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, with visitation before the service at 10:00 AM, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene, 109 Harris St., Fort Mill, SC, 29715. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made toward Pearl Killian's ongoing care by visiting the following: https://gofund.me/68b2d053f