Raymond Edward Sawyer

RAYMOND “RAY” EDWARD SAWYER WEAVERVILLE – Raymond “Ray” Edward Sawyer, age 83, of the Stoney Knob community died Thursday, August 18, 2016. Ray was born January 11, 1933 in Buncombe County, where he had lived all of his life. Ray was educated in the Weaverville schools where he starred on state championship basketball and baseball teams. His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to Newberry College. He then had a long career teaching and coaching at the high school level in Madison County and at Erwin. He later was in charge of the Continuing Education Division at AB Tech from which he retired, and was responsible for opening the A-B Tech. Madison campus. Ray was a member and active participant of the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop singing in America for 45 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville for 70 years where he sang in the choir until last year. He sang in the Land of the Sky Barbershop Chorus for over 40 years. Mr. Sawyer was preceded in death by his parents, Chan C. and Blanche Lunsford Sawyer; brother, Charles F. Sawyer Sr.; and sister, Wilma Nelson. Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Carolyn Crawford Sawyer; brother, Tip Sawyer and wife Sarah; two nieces; one nephew; and seven great nieces and nephews. His graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, August 21, 2016, in West Memorial Park, Weaverville, with Reverend Skip Gillikin officiating. West Funeral Home, Weaverville is assisting the family. Memorials may be made in Ray’s memory to: Raymond and Carolyn Crawford Sawyer Athletic Scholarship at the Office of Institutional Advancement, Newberry College, 2100 College Street, Newberry, SC 28715. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Ray’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.