Kenneth Wilson

Waynesville, Kenneth Tryon "Ty" Wilson, 51, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016 following an extended illness. He was born July 23, 1965 in Smithfield, North Carolina, the son of Ken and Kathy McGee Wilson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kyle Wilson; foster brother, Robert Conn; paternal grandparents, David and Lalla Chamblee Wilson; and his maternal grandparents, Harry and Barbara Bernard McGee. He attended schools in Zebulon, North Carolina, Powell and Riverton, Wyoming, Mount Olive, North Carolina, Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, Virginia and graduated from Tuscola High School, Waynesville, North Carolina, where he was proud to claim being a member of the Mountaineer football team. Ty attended AB Tech's culinary school in Asheville and Southwestern Community College, Sylva, North Carolina, but discovered his fascination for orchids while attending Haywood Community College where he studied horticulture and volunteered to care for the college's orchid collection. Ty's love of orchids became not only his hobby but his career. He worked for orchid firms in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. He was also an orchid judge for a time. He was always gratified to share information with anyone who showed interest in the magnificent plant. A highlight for Ty was the opportunity to hunt for wild orchids in Costa Rica and Jamaica while participating in United Methodist Church mission trips. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. He was an avid hiker, camper and nature lover. He lived at the lower reaches of Cold Mountain where he often hiked and camped. Spring was his favorite season to be in the Southern Appalachians with its profusion of wildflowers. Ty is survived by his parents, Ken and Kathy McGee Wilson of Waynesville; a brother, Kirk Wilson and niece, Diya, of Seattle; sister, Kelli Bragg, of West Virginia; and foster brother, Chris Lund, of Atlanta. The funeral service for Ty will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville with the Reverend Sanford L. Giles, Jr. and Reverend Becky Brown officiating. Following the service friends and family will gather in the Christian Growth Center to celebrate Ty's life. The committal service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Zebulon City Cemetery, Zebulon, NC. Memorials may be made to Haywood Healthcare Foundation, c/o The Homestead, 127 Sunset Ridge Road, Clyde, NC 28721.

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