William Jenkins

Waynesville, William Swan Jenkins, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at MedWest Haywood. A native of Haywood County, born on April 16, 1920 in the White Oak Community, Swan was the son of the late Oliver Parker Jenkins and Vinnie Davis Jenkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six sisters, Sally, Carrie, Laura, Della, Nellie and Arbie and two brothers, Clem and Iolet. Swan was a US Army veteran of World War II, serving as a Staff Sergeant in France where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He worked as a pattern designer for Wellco and retired with more than 30 years service. Swan loved his family and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sitting on his porch. He was a member of Swanns Chapel Baptist Church in Danridge, Tennessee and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hilda Hardin Jenkins; two daughters, Mary Penland and her husband, John, of Waynesville and Judy Whitener of Valdese; one son, Bill Jenkins, of Covington, Georgia; two sisters, Ollie Mae Morgan and Willa "Billie" Moody, both of Waynesville; seven grandchildren, Anne-Marie, Michelle, Aaron, Laura, Mandi, Heather, and Rick; five great grandchildren, Krissy, Cory, Ali, Bry and Elizabeth; two great-great grandchildren, Kaylee and Jayden; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Gary Putnam officiating. Inurnment will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with military rites conducted by VFW Post 5202, American Legion Post 47, and the National Guard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Open Door, 32 Commerce Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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