Ray Deitz

Waynesville-Ray Deitz, age 83, of 64 Lake Drive, died on Monday, August 7, 2006, at his residence. A native of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Martin and Dessie Cogdill Deitz. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Mae Belle Wilson Deitz, who died in 1998. He was a First Lieutenant of the US Army having served in Germany during World War II where he received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. He was an auto dealer in Ft. Pierce, Florida for 26 years and retired to Haywood County in 1982. Ray was an avid trout fisherman and enjoyed gardening and fruit trees and was a member of Francis Cove United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 6 1/2 years, Peggie Deitz; two daughters, Patsy Green and husband, Bob, of Chattanooga, TN and Sharon Gillette and husband, Stacy, of Kissimmee, FL; one son, Robert Deitz and wife, Vivian, of Candler, NC; three step-sons, Reverend Dennis Ruff and wife, Margaret, of Clyde and Tony Ruff and wife, Wendy, of Waynesville, and Allen Ruff and wife, Chris, of White House, TN; three sisters, Ruby Shoemaker of Asheville, Ruth Francis of Waynesville, and Betty Queen of Candler; 5 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 step great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2006 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Terry Rowland, Reverend Dennis Ruff, and Dr. Bob Green officiating. Burial will follow at Center Pigeon Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Francis Cove United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2530 Crymes Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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