Wayne Hoilman

Wayne Hoilman, 73, of Plumtree, passed away on Saturday, August 23rd, at home with his family. Wayne was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, and coach. He enjoyed restoring classic cars, raising chickens, carp fishing, coaching youth football, gardening, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
A native of Avery County, Wayne was the son of the late Troy and Beulah Buchanan Hoilman. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 51 years, Rachel Shook Hoilman; and sister Brenda Wilson. He is survived by sons Greg (Meredith) and Corey (Kathryn); and grandchildren Troy, Emree, J'Leyn, Avery and Ben. He is also survived by two sisters, Sandra Pitman (Alan) and Kim Hicks (Larry); brother-in-law, Terry Wilson; good friend, Frank Hamby; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne believed in hard work, determination, and giving others the chance to succeed both academically and athletically. He graduated from Avery County High School in 1970 and started his career in the growing North Carolina ski industry at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Over time, he worked his way up to become the mountain manager. In the late 1980s, he became the President/CEO of Beech Mountain Ski Resort, a role he held until his retirement in 2008. Wayne also served multiple terms on the Avery County Board of Education in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Along with his wife Rachel, he helped start the Lamplighters Afterschool Literacy Program in 2015 at Spruce Pine United Methodist Church. In March 2019, Wayne received a double lung transplant at the Medical University of South Carolina, which gave him six more years to enjoy life with his family.
The family will be present on the porch at the family's home in Plumtree for an informal visitation on Saturday, September 13th, from 12:30 to 2pm. Immediately following the visitation, family and friends are welcome to gather in the yard (weather permitting) or on the porch for a service of remembrance for both Wayne and Rachel Hoilman. If you would like to stay for the service, please bring a blanket or lawn chair for outdoor seating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne's memory can be made to Spruce Pine United Methodist Church to the Community Assistance Fund or Lamplighters Afterschool Program (https://sprucepineumc.org/NewSite/). Memorial donations may also be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/).
The family extends their sincere thanks to Hospice of the Blue Ridge, Cody and Cassie Huskins, and Vickie Young for assisting the family with caring for both Wayne and Rachel.