Walter "Hayes" Greene

Walter Hayes Greene, 87, of Candler, NC, went home to be with his Heavenly Father, Sunday, September 28, 2014, after a very long battle with Alzheimers. He was born in Macon County to the late Mary Florence Rhodes Greene and Thaddeus Blaine Greene. He moved with his family to Candler at a young age. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters: Johnsie, Madith, Cybil, Louisa, Dode, Mary Jane, John, and Nellie; and brother, Wiley. As he would often say, he was the last of that family. Hayes worked 27 years as a foreman at American Enka Plant and finished his career at Champion International Paper with 18 more years of dedicated service. He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church. His main wish in life was that his family have a personal relationship with Christ and believe the simple truth that Jesus died for our sins so that we may be saved by the grace of God. In addition to his main jobs, he worked second jobs at various local businesses in order that his wife, Ruth, could stay home and raise their three children. He believed in the value of the Mother being in the home with the children. In his early years, he worked with the Republican National Committee in Buncombe County, once serving as the precinct chairman. He loved to argue politics and usually won. He was a supporter of the Eliada Home and would take in children at Christmas. He worked on the toy drives for the Home also. He supported many charities, especially The Salvation Army. He supported our troops and believed in America with all his heart. When he was able, he never failed to visit someone that was in the nursing home and showed he cared. In his early retirement, he was instrumental in the care and raising of two his grandsons, Nick and Logan. They kept him busy and created many memories that only a Grandfather can do. He was also an avid gardener before his health began to decline. He could raise the best greasy cut shorts and tomatoes around. In later retirement, he was a salesman for his daughter and son-in-laws concrete company. He never met a stranger in his life. He was a great friend and neighbor. Hayes was a loving Husband, Daddy, Pawpaw, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend to all that were blessed to know him. He considered his greatest accomplishment in life to be that of his children and family. He is survived by his precious wife, Ruth, of 64 years; daughters: Sharon (Scott) Humprhies of Lyman, SC, and Beth (Emmett) Wilson of Fairview, NC; son, Chip (Krista) Greene of Pond Creek, OK; grandchildren: Dale (Michelle) Warren, Suzi (Sam) Sinclair, Sherry Warren (Robert), Nick and Logan Wilson, Spencer and Cheyenne Greene; great-grandchildren: Joshua, Jerimiah, Morgan, Sammy, Simon and Seth; and great, great-grandchild, Hayden. The family will receive friends and family from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Funeral Services will be held at Anders-Rice Funeral Home in Asheville at 3:00 PM Thursday, October 2, 2014. Burial will follow at Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery .The Reverend Jackie Collins will officiate. Pall Bearers will be nephew, Mike Frisbee; grandsons: Dale Warren, Nick and Logan Wilson, Spencer Hayes Greene; great-grandson, Joshua Warren; and honorary pallbearer, great-grandson, Jerimiah Warren. Our family wishes to thank the special nurses, aides and staff at Elderberry Heathcare in Marshall, NC. They have loved our Father and taken extraordinarily good care of him during the late stages of his illness. We truly appreciate all of you. Everyone will miss our special Dad. We will always love you and greatly miss you. Love, Your Family. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Greene family and words of comfort may be shared at www.andersrice.com. In lieu of flowers, Daddy would rather you contribute to your Church, charity of choice, the Wounded Warrior Project, or pay it kindness forward. A Video Tribute will be available for a limited time Click Here