Mr. William Bristol Cheek

Bristol Cheek

Mr. William Bristol Cheek passed away June 20, 2019, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was 70. While Parkinson's stole the last five years, Bristol's family and friends celebrate the life he led before this terrible disease.

Bristol was born on August 2, 1948, the son of Troy and Marie Daniels Cheek. He graduated from Cool Springs High School and Appalachian State University and served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve. Bristol chose to spend his entire life in the Cool Springs community, down the road from the house where he was raised. He was Director of Personnel for Carolinas Mills, then went to work for himself: Cheek Sand Screening gave him the opportunity to be outside in the North Iredell countryside, supplying companies with sand from riverbeds. For much of his life, he also helped his father on the family's farm. More than father and son, Troy and Bristol were best friends. Troy died in 1991. In death as in life, they each passed on June 20th.

Bristol is survived by his mother, Marie Daniels Cheek, two sisters, Linda Dickens of Laurens, S.C., and Sharon Garfield and her husband, Ken of Charlotte, four nieces and nephews: Jake Dickens and his wife, Caroline of Greenville, S.C., Will Dickens of Simpsonville, S.C., Matt Garfield and his wife, Marie of Charlotte and Ellen Wilson and her husband, Scott of Charlotte. Several great-nieces and nephews and his many cousins and their families were all close to Bristol's heart.

The family expresses a loving thank you to Kerigan Hill, who cared for Bristol 24/7 in his home the last three years of his life. God surely brought Kerigan and her family into Bristol's and our lives. Phyllis Stevens, who cares for Bristol's mother, was also a vital part of the caregiving team. Deepest thanks go to Bristol's friends, whose visits kept his spirits up during the last years: Vickie Cheek, Randy Rowland, Joe Connelly and J.D. Stroud. Hospice was also a blessing.

If you were lucky enough to have known Bristol, you know he was laid back and kind, a guy who never had a bad word to say about anyone. You also know he was usually five minutes late (at least !) to wherever he was headed. He loved a good meal, family trips to the beach, shagging to beach music on Ocean Drive, and weekends in Las Vegas every year or so with his friend, Randy Rowland.

Bristol's best days were when the family (especially the kids) gathered in his backyard, usually on a Sunday. He'd rent a big tent, set up a volleyball net and fire up the grill. There, not far from where he grew up, he had everything he ever wanted in a life that ended too soon.

A service to celebrate Bristol's life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, at Nicholson Funeral Home with Rev. Darren Johnson officiating. A reception will follow at Bristol's Caf on Court Street from 4:00 to 6:00.

Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to be given to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, N.C. 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.