Willa Rathbone

Fines Creek, Willa "Bill" Riddle Rathbone, age 74, of Betsy's Gap Road, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at her residence. Born in Graham County, she lived most of her life in Haywood County. She was the daughter of the late Garrett and Dorothy Irene Davis Riddle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Rathbone, who died in 1994; stepfather, Roy Dills; one daughter, Debbie Rathbone; two sisters, Oma Lee Noland and Mary Sue Riddle; and a special friend, Edd West. She was co-owner of Jerry and Bill's Grocery Store in the Crabtree Community and was a member of Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church. Bill enjoyed working in her flowers and cooking. Bill was very talented artistically and did many craft projects. She also enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. She loved camping and spending time with family and friends by the lake. She is survived by her son, Daniel Rathbone and his wife, Lynn, of Lake Toxaway, North Carolina and three grandchildren, Heather, Katie, and Laura Rathbone. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Jimmy Moore and Reverend Alan Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Crabtree Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Fines Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 244 Fines Creek Road, Clyde, NC 28721.

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