William Lambert

William Edgar Lambert, age 86, of Silver Bluff, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the V.A. Medical Center. He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late William Arthur and Viola Welch Lambert. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada "Jamie" Burnette Lambert; two juvenile brothers; his step-mother, Mary Green Lambert; and a half-sister, Reba Lambert Coates. Ed retired from Dayco International with more than 40 years of service and served in the Army from September, 1942, until January, 1946. While he was serving in Europe, his battalion was overrun, leading to his subsequent wounding and capture by the Germans in August of 1943. Placed in a field POW camp, he was freed when Allied forces overran the camp and recovered the prisoners. After his release, Ed participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He liked listening to country music and was an accomplished guitar player. He is survived by his brother-in-law, John G. Coates of Waynesville; three nephews, Steven L. Coates and his wife, Rachel, of Brooklyn, NY; Joe W. Coates and his wife, Jan, of Cary, NC; and John P. Coates and his wife, Carol, of Winston-Salem, and numerous distant cousins. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2008 at New Cruso Cemetery with Reverend Greg Cullen officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. prior to the service at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. Memorials may be made to the VFW Van Fund, 216, Miller Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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