Charles Milner

Waynesville-Charles E. "Bill" Milner, age 84, of Camelot Drive, died on Monday, December 25, 2006 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native and resident of Haywood County most of his life, he was the son of the late Hairl "Bun" and Lucy Scates Milner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Melverna "Jerry" McKinley Milner; two brothers, Jim and Bob Milner; and one sister, Mildred Revis. He was a 1940 graduate of Waynesville Township High School, a graduate of the University of South Carolina in 1944, and a 1947 graduate of Duke University. He also received a Masters Degree in Arts and Education from Western Carolina College 1957. Bill had a significant athletic career and was a 1943 All American football player at Duke University and was also a member of the Wrestling Team. He was a former National Football League player for the Chicago Bears in 1947 - 49 and for the New York Giants in 1950 - 51. During his collegiate career, he joined the US Marine Corps and became a captain during World War II and also served during the Korean Conflict. While serving his country, he also played football for the US Marine Corps. Following his career in the NFL, he returned to Haywood County where he was initially employed by the Haywood County Health Department. Bill was later employed by the Haywood County School System and was a coach at Waynesville Township High School and was an assistant principal at Tuscola High School. At the time of his retirement, he was the principal at Bethel School. He was a life-long member of Hazelwood Presbyterian Church, a member of the Sessions, a member of the church choir, and served on numerous church committees. Bill was a former member and past president of the Waynesville Rotary Club and was a 1979 inductee to the WNC Sports Hall of Fame. He was a volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels and was an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Brockman Milner; one daughter, Lynn C. Milner, of Waynesville; one son, Chuck Milner of Asheville; four sisters, Dorothy Byczek of Kentucky, and Barbara Gaddy, Janet Franklin, and Patsy Jordan and her husband, Dee, all of Waynesville; one brother, Jack Milner and his wife, Vivian, of Waynesville; and two grandsons, Chad Milner and his wife, Risha, and Tyler Milner, all of Asheville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at Hazelwood Presbyterian Church with Reverend Larry Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Memorials may be made to Hazelwood Presbyterian Church, 368 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Meals on Wheels, 486 Marshall Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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