Willy Buckner

Mr. Wilfred Billy Buckner, 79, of Statesville, passed away, Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Mr. Buckner was born July 9, 1931 in Greenville, SC and was the son of the late Ernest Arthur Buckner and Agnes Pretto Dill Buckner. He graduated from Parker High School in Greenville, Furman University and in 1955 the school of Pharmacy at the University of South Carolina. On September 3, 1955, he was married to June Meredith Watson Buckner, who survives of the home. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957 and was a self employed owner of Southside Drug from 1968-1990. He was semiretired, but still helped out at Southside Drug and also at Blueridge Midtown Pharmacy and Blueridge Northpark Pharmacy in North Wilkesboro. He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for over 50 years. He was a charter member in 1967 of the Gideons International Statesville Camp and served on the Iredell County Board of Health. In addition to his wife, Willy is survived by one son, Kevin Brian Buckner (Sharon) of Statesville, two daughters, Kathryn "Kassie" B. Hollar (Gary) of Claremont, Keren "Keri" B. Sharpe (Tony) of Statesville, six grandchildren, Kristen Elizabeth Buckner, Kaylen Meredith Buckner, Breanna Kathryne Hollar, Garrett Austin Hollar, Timothy Madison Sharpe and McKinley Brian Sharpe; four sisters, Juanita B. Wilson, Gaynell B. Hawkins, Odaser B. Smith, Betty B. Tinsley all of Greenville, SC along with a number of nieces and nephews. Willy was loved by all. Only Glory will reveal how many he has helped throughout his life. Each person was special to him and he esteemed them as a creation of God. He loved the Lord and served Him in church and in the Gideons which he loved dearly. Most of all, He was a Godly, loving and attentive husband, Each day with him was special, happy and blessed. To his children he was a light and Godly guide. This world is without one more prayer warrior today. Mr. Buckner was preceded in death by two brothers, Arnold and Cleveland Buckner. A service of praise will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Beulah Baptist Church with Dr. Allen Roberts, Rev. Henry Cook and Rev. Gary Jennings officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church. Active pallbearers will be Danny Chandler, Jim Dagenhart, Mike Heintz, Buck Gatton, Greg Stone, Donald Anderson, William Walker and Todd Sharpe. Honorary pallbearers will be Beulah Baptist Church Active Deacon Body, Co-Ed Eight Sunday School Class, all area Gideons, Sam Childers, Ken Chapman and all Southside Drug Employees. Memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 1851 Old Mountain Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 148, Statesville, N.C. 28687. Online condolences may be made to www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Willy Buckner.