Lawrence Medford

Clyde, William Lawrence Medford, 92, of Leaf Lane, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Autumn Care Nursing Home. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, Lawrence was the son of the late Garrett "Colonel" and Gracie Walker Medford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou Messer Medford; a daughter, Lou Anne Medford Justice; and brothers, Truett and Cecil Medford. Lawrence proudly served his country in the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II as a radio operator on the USS LSM 2. He was employed at American Enka for 29 years and Dayco Corporation for 13 years before his retirement. A highlight of his retirement years was a trip to Washington D.C. on an honorary veterans' flight that visited the WWII memorials. Lawrence will be remembered most as a kind, loving, and faithfully devoted family man. Lawrence is survived by a daughter, Sherry Medford Justice and her husband Bobby of Clyde; four grandchildren, Rachel Justice, Will Justice and his wife Samantha, Heath Justice and his wife Hayley, and Heather Justice; and one great-granddaughter, Hailey Blankenship. He is also survived by a sister, Lillian Knox Howard of Lake Junaluska, and a brother, Brooks Medford of Lake Junaluska. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Long's Chapel United Methodist Church, where Lawrence was a lifelong member. Reverend Chris Westmoreland, Reverend Tim McConnell, and Reverend John Ferree will officiate. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Long's Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 459, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.

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