Joe Cline

Waynesville, Joe Cline was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved his family, his friends, and his community and it showed in the way he lived his life. Joe Cline was born and raised in Cleveland County, NC, as one of five children of V. Otha and Katherine Tucker Cline. He lived on the family farm that at times raised cotton, dairy cows, hogs, and mules. He attended State College (North Carolina State University) and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. He served in the US Army's 34th Infantry during World War II in Northern Africa and Italy. In 1947, he moved to Haywood County, NC, where he first worked as the Assistant County Farm Agent and a leader with the area's 4-H clubs. In 1950, he met and married Elizabeth Jane Bradley of Waynesville, NC. That same year he went into business with his new brother-in-law, Dick Bradley. Together they opened Cline-Bradley Hardware, which they successfully ran for the next 36 years. For those who knew it, Cline-Bradley was a well-loved local institution. He was fond of saying that "everyone that comes into a hardware store has a problem; greet them by name and help them figure it out." Joe Cline loved people and believed strongly in service to his community. He was a member of the Jaycees and was selected Outstanding Man of the Year in 1954. He was president of the Waynesville Merchants Association in 1953 and president of the Waynesville Lions Club from 1954-55. From 1984 until 1991 he was a member of the Haywood County Hospital Board. He was also a member of the Board of First Union National Bank from 1970 until 1994 and served as its chairman from 1987-88. Joe Cline was a lifelong believer in education. He served two terms on the Haywood County Board of Education and in 1961 was appointed to the countywide Blue Ribbon Commission. The Commission was charged with studying the possibility of consolidating the Canton and Haywood County public school districts. The complex and often controversial work lasted over a year before the Blue Ribbon Commission made their recommendations. The plans were adopted, creating two new county high schools, Tuscola and Pisgah. Their report guided the new school system for the next 25 years. Joe Cline was also one of several community leaders who worked to establish what is now known as Haywood Community College. He was instrumental in growing the small Haywood Industrial Education Center, housed in an old public school building, into a thriving institution on an expansive new campus, where it was first christened Haywood Technical Institute and remains today. He was appointed to the college's Board of Trustees in 1967 and ably served for 30 years. He was chairman of the Board from 1991 until 1993. His leadership and commitment did not go unnoticed across the state. From 1991 to 1994 he served on the NC Trustees Executive Committee for Community Colleges, often making the trip from Western NC to Raleigh to advocate for community colleges with state legislators and other college boards. Work and community service demanded much of his time but not at the expense of enjoying his friends and favorite past times. He had a regular golf group with some of his life-long friends that often included his wife. When not golfing he could often be found around the gin rummy table playing and laughing as if his life depended on it, despite the nickel stakes. He loved his time trout fishing in his beloved mountains and on an annual foray to Montana with his fishing buddies. He always led with his keen sense of humor and followed it up with love and respect for all who knew him. Joe Cline was a humble man who credited much of his success to his wife of 65 years, Betty Cline. Together they had three children, William Tucker Cline (Val), Jane Cline Yandle, and Joe Steven Cline (Catherine) all of Raleigh, NC, along with seven grandchildren, Katrina Jane Yandle, Rachel Elizabeth Yandle, Joseph Tucker Cline, Seth Steven Cline, Amelia Katherine Cline, Bryan Maclin Peters, and Campbell Thomson Peters. He is survived by his sister Helen Cline Borders of Shelby, NC and brother V.O. Cline of Rutherfordton, NC. A memorial service in celebration of the life of Joe Cline will be held on Sunday, December 20th at 3:00 pm in the Springmoor Auditorium, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC. Per his wishes, the family will gather for a memorial service and interment at Greenhill Cemetery in Waynesville, NC to be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh and Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 566 S. Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to the charity of your choice.

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