Byrd Edgar Warlick

WEAVERVILLE—Byrd Edgar Warlick, 85, of Weaverville, NC, formerly of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at his Weaverville home, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Mr. Warlick was born August 26, 1927, in Icard, North Carolina. Mr. Warlick was the tenth and last surviving child of the late Daisy Cook Warlick and Edgar Tate Warlick of Icard. Also preceding Mr. Warlick in death were sisters, Hazelene Moore, Vivian Barker, Edna Martin, Oneta Barus, Katherine Benfield; and brothers Clarence Warlick, Harold Warlick, James Warlick, and Cliff Warlick. He was a direct descendant of Pioneer Daniel Warlick who emigrated from Germany before America was a country in 1729. His ancestors fought in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Mr. Warlick was a World War II veteran himself, proudly serving in the Navy along with three other brothers during World War II. He was a prolific reader of history and was passionate about his progressive political views as a Democrat. He believed the Democrat party was there to promote the interest of the less fortunate and taught kindness and generosity to his own family by example. He was active in precinct politics and later traveled throughout the United States attending political events and National Conventions. He was known by his many friends as a "real unique character" and enjoyed each morning sitting around his buddy table at Bojangles. Most of all though he enjoyed his role as a father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his children, Sandy Houck of Spartanburg, SC, and husband Jerry Houck, Jimmy Warlick and Valerie Ianieri of Weaverville, NC, and Washington, DC, and Megan Silvey, of Brevard, NC; four grandchildren, Leslee Page of Spartanburg, SC; Kristen King of Atlanta, GA; Zoe Silvey and Vann Silvey, of Brevard, NC; two great grandchildren, Lawson Page and Ella King; and a very special caregiver, Jill Smith, of Weaverville, NC. Byrd's family expresses a very special thank you to Care Partners Hospice Services of Buncombe County, and the Oncology staff at Veteran's Hospital of Black Mountain, for their support and tremendous medical care throughout his battle. The Warlick family will have a celebration of his life on April 13, 2013, at Tranquility Cove, Mr. Warlick's home in Weaverville, NC. In lieu of flowers the family would request people give to Care Partners of Buncombe County, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, and the American Lung Association of North Carolina and Atlantic Coast, 3801 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 190, Raleigh, NC 27607. Condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Warlick's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.