Art Little

William Arthur "Art" Little, 88, of Statesville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Gordon Hospice House. Born Sept. 22, 1921, in Iredell County, he was the son of the late William Tate Little and Sadie Sherrill Little. On May 9, 1946 he was married to Lunez Wyatt Little, who died Jan. 29, 1995. Mr. Little attended Celeste Henkel High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served during World War II in the European Theatre and was awarded three bronze stars during his duty from 1942 to 1945. Mr. Little was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church and had worked for North American Products in carbide tooling as new plant manager. He retired in 1994 following 32 years of service to the company. Mr. Little enjoyed fishing, doing woodcrafts for gifts, and gardening. He also enjoyed growing tomatoes, which he shared with friends and neighbors. Mr. Little was preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie Cleo Little and Walter Junior Little; and a sister, Antha Little Kyles. Survivors include a son, William "Bill" Little and wife, Kathleen S. Little, of Statesville; and a grandson, Brent A. Little and fiancé, Amy T. Shelton, of Mooresville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Jones and the Rev. Tom Corbell officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Dan Boggs, Ronnie Thompson, Steve Peschock, Ryan Little, Heath Little and Tate Little. The family will assemble at the home of Bill and Kathleen Little, 175 Pratt Lane, Statesville, but will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday evening at Nicholson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 943, Statesville, NC 28687; or to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Arrangements for Art Little are in the care of Nicholson Funeral Home.