Paul Wesley Greene

WOODFIN—Paul Wesley Greene, age 87, of 174 Elkwood Ave., died Friday, July 13, 2012. Mr. Greene was born February 5, 1925, in Fallston, NC, to the late John and Birdie Lawrence Green. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Alice Williams and Mamie Sue Hamlin, and brothers, John Green and Bill Greene. A veteran of the US Army, he served during World War II and was stationed in England. He also later served during the Korean War. After his service during World War II he moved to Buncombe County in 1947 to marry the love of his life, Blanche Hamlin. For several years in the late 60's and 70's he served as a Methodist minister to Little Sandy UMC, Big Sandy UMC, Western Chapel UMC and Teagues Chapel UMC. In 1975 he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and in 1983 he retired as a teacher and counselor with the U.S. Job Corps and returned to Buncombe County. An active member and past deacon of Newbridge Baptist Church, Mr. Greene was a member of the Luther Rice Sunday School Class. He and his wife Blanche were very involved in their grandchildren's lives, attending all their activities. They even maintained a part-time residence for approximately 18 years in order to be close to their grandchildren in Idaho. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Blanche Hamlin Greene; daughter, Karen Thorpe and husband Jim of Twin Falls, Idaho; son, Bruce Greene of Woodfin; a number of nieces and nephews, including Brenda Warren, who was like a daughter, of Woodfin, and Helen Sonnier of Clarkesville, GA; grandchildren, Adam York and wife Stephanie and Michael York, all of Twin Falls, and Erin and Lindsey Greene of Woodfin, who will all serve as pallbearers along with Bruce; special friends, Hugh Roberson, Howard Jamison and Ruth McElreath. His funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, July 16, 2012, in Newbridge Baptist Church with Rev. Clark Henderson and Rev. Leroy Denton officiating. Burial will be in West Memorial Park with military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Beth Anderson Family Center of Newbridge Baptist Church, 199 Elkwood Ave., Asheville, NC 28804, or CarePartners Hospice Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Greene's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.