Billy Dean Buckner

WOODFIN—Billy Dean Buckner, age 77, of Woodfin, went to be with his heavenly Father on Thursday, January 24, 2013, after a brave battle with an extended illness. Mr. Buckner was born July 22, 1935, in Buncombe County where he had lived most of his life. He was a plumber by trade and retired as a plumbing inspector with the City of Asheville in 1985. Mr. Buckner loved to work with his hands. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Air Force. He loved spending time outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. He loved his family and his church family and was a very generous man always helping others. He was a son of the late Gordon Homer Buckner and Vergie White Buckner; and stepmother, Ruby B. Whitt. Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia Stewart Buckner who stood by his side; daughters, Teresa Buckner Clinton and husband Shorty of Barnardsville and Sandy Buckner Monigold and husband Ted of Alexander; son, Billy J. Buckner and wife Doris of Burnsville; sister, Betty Goforth of Weaverville; brother, Bobby Ray Buckner and wife Brenda of Alexander; grandchildren, Kelly Stafford and husband Chris, Carrie Hollifield and husband Tim, Amanda Fields and husband Clark, Karla Buckner and special friend Cody, Will Buckner, Ben Monigold; and great grandson, Timothy Creed Hollifield. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2013, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Johnny Raines officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites by Mars Hill VFW Post 5483. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Buckner's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.