Billy Best

Clyde, Billy Haywood "Woody" Best, age 78, of Liner Creek Road, entered his heavenly home on Saturday, September 20, 2008 after a courageous battle. He was a native of Haywood County and was the son of the late William Crawford Best and Essie Hill Best. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Junior, Willard, Ernest, Earl, Joe and Max Best; two sisters, Eva Ferguson and Denise Best. Billy started his family in Flint, MI working for General Motors before returning to North Carolina in 1969. He retired from Randy Best Excavating as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was assigned to the motor pool and was responsible for transportation of troops. He loved the outdoors, gardening, woodworking and reading. His sense of humor and laughter will be missed by all who knew him. He was a loving husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patsy Trantham Best; two daughters, Cheryl Best of Morganton and Rebecca McClure and her husband, Tony of Hyder Mountain; a son, Jeffrey Best and his wife, Lisa of Crabtree; three sisters, Edna Lentz of Waynesville, Louise McSwain of Mooresville and Hilda Gibson of Canton; a brother, Ken Best of Crabtree; his beloved mother-in-law, Lillian Trantham and his boxer, Rusty. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Reverend Charlie Simpson and Kitty Crain officiating. Burial will follow at Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery with military services conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be Randy, Tracy and Jeff Best, Cundy Jimenez, Tony McClure, Danny Kirkpatrick, Roger Ferguson and Bruce Medford. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Best, Farrell Sanford, Jimmy Smith, Clint and Glen Putnam and Johnny Trantham. Special thanks and appreciation to all the wonderful caregivers and especially: Charles C. Thomas, II , M.D., Michael S. Heller, M.D., Thomas S.R. Ward, M.D., Richard H. Steele, M.D., Alfred A. Mina, M.D., Jason Dellavecchia, M.D., Glen Harris, M.D. and Harry Lipham, M.D. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 10000, Dept 300, Memphis, TN 38148

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