Walter James

Waynesville-Walter Lee James, age 77, died Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Walter was born on December 6, 1926 in Madison County and grew up in Haywood County. He was the son of the late Jesse Carr James and Connie Burnett James. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Boone and Lynda Brown.

Walter graduated from Crabtree-Iron Duff High School in 1943. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served on the U.S.S Boxer. After returning home, he operated a service station in Waynesville prior to attending Western Carolina College, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1954 and his Master's Degree in Education in 1963.

Walter taught school and served as assistant principal at Bethel High School from 1954 until 1967 when he became the Dean of Student Services at Haywood Technical Institute, later known as Haywood Community College where he retired in 1985.

He was an active member of Francis Cove United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities. Walter also was very active in the Waynesville Lions Club for 35 years, serving terms as president and secretary.

Walter is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty Franklin James; a son, Danny, and his wife, Vicki, of Waynesville; a daughter, Paula Bostic and her husband, Mike, of Terrell, NC; two sisters, Catherine Francis and Eleanor Justice of Waynesville; a brother, Ed James of Clyde; three grandchildren, Justin and Alyson James and Ryan Bostic; one great grandchild, Steel Markert.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Francis Cove United Methodist Church in Waynesville with Reverend Terry Rowland and Reverend Hal Finney officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery with military services conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. Serving as pallbearers will be nephews, John and James Francis, Roger Justice, Rodney James, and Robby and Barry Franklin. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Freeman, Ralph Phillips, Bob Shuler, Richard Wilson, John Bandy, John Roberson, Tom Ray, C.W. Ogle and Herbert Burnette. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Francis Cove United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 843, Waynesville, NC 28786; Waynesville Lions Club, 134 Old School Road, Waynesville, NC 28786; or Haywood Community College, 185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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