Walter Eugene Haire

Mr. Walter Eugene "Gene" Haire, 82, of Statesville, passed away, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Brian Nursing Center. Mr. Haire was born December 7, 1934 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Harvey Lee Haire and Lina Lucille Sherrill Haire. He was a graduate of Statesville Senior High School and served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. In 1959, he was married to Janet Mayes Haire, who survives and was retired from Iredell-Statesville School System. He was a member of New Salem United Methodist Church, where he served on the cemetery committee and he also loved to buy, sell and trade anything. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Gene D. Haire of Statesville, Lee J. Haire (Jennifer) of Union Grove, four grandchildren, Salem, Stokes, Caitlin and Will Haire, two sisters, Hazel Haire of Forest City, Betty H. Webber of Forest City, one brother-in-law, Gene Cloer of Statesville, two nephews, Fielding Cloer, Scott Webber, two nieces, Jeannie C. Handy, Amy W. Kozina and a lifelong friend, Jimmie H. Beam. Memorial services will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2017 at New Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. David Gay officiating. The family will visit with friends following the service at the church. Memorials may be made to New Salem UMC, 155 New Salem Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 and online condolences may be sent to www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Gene Haire.