Walker Wood

Walker "Eugene" Wood, age 87, of Candler, NC, passed peacefully into his new life with the Lord Saturday, March 22, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Wood was born to Elvira and Ernest Wood of Cowpens, SC. He was a lifelong resident of Haywood and Buncombe counties. In addition to his parents and stepfather, Richard Justice, he was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Mr. Wood was employed by American Enka, Asheville Steel and Grove Park Inn. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and also served as the bodyguard to General James M. Gavin throughout his military service. He was awarded the EAMET Campaign Medal with six Bronze Service Stars; Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Badge; Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Ribbon; and Purple Heart Medal. He successfully completed all 13 major airborne jumps in the European Campaign. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Pauline Wood; a daughter, Sandra Crawford of Asheville; grandsons, Rodney Crawford and his wife, India, of Crofton, MD and Chris Crawford and his girlfriend, Denise Rhodes of Candler; and a special great-granddaughter, Christiana Crawford. Also surviving are brothers, Bud Justice and his wife, Velma, of Candler and Neal Justice and his wife, Martha; of Clyde, sisters, Quaye Hill of Clyde, Joretta Wallin of Burnsville, Bonnie Sue Erwin and her husband, Richie, of Grass Valley, CA; mother-in-law, Dora Ledford of Clyde; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at New Morgan Hill Baptist Church in Candler, of which he was a member with the Reverend Roy E. Houston officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Monday at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. At other times, the family will be at the home on 2 North Ridge Lane, Candler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Morgan Hill Baptist Church building fund, 370 Case Cove Road, Candler, NC 28715. His family wishes to thank all of the staff of Davita Dialysis Center in Waynesville and Haywood County Mountain Transportation for all of the loving care of Mr. Wood.

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