Wilbur "Bill" Lovelace

Asheville - Wilbur Lee Bill Lovelace, 87, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Charles George VA Medical Center. A native of Cleveland County, Mr. Lovelace had resided in Asheville for 56 years. He was a graduate of Evans Community College in Commerce and a veteran of the US Army. He was a regional manager for the Sherwin Williams Company for 30 years. He was a former member of the Jaycees and was a Board Member and distinguished Past President of the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Lovelace is a current member of the West Asheville Masonic Lodge. He was active in the United Way and was Past President of the Rhododendron Council of the Boy Scouts. He was a Past President of the Asheville Merchants Association and was a distinguished Board Member for his involvement in the Asheville Christmas Parade. He was also Past President of the Irene Wortham Center. After his retirement, Mr. Lovelace taught furniture restoration and refinishing at the Harvest House. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and former Sunday School teacher. Mr. Lovelace was the son of the late Crawford and Essie Ledford Lovelace, and the husband of the late Myrtis Howell Lovelace. Surviving are his four children: Diane Lovelace Hamilton and husband Ted of Flat Rock, Steve Lovelace and wife Penny of Anderson, SC, Rick Lovelace and wife Cindy of Chocowinity, NC, and Jeff Lovelace and wife Bereda of Asheville; grandchildren: Wesley Hamilton, Angela Hamilton, Karen Fox, Lee Lovelace, William Lovelace, Sheldon Lovelace, and Martin Lovelace; five great-grandchildren; sister, Daphine Putnam of Kings Mountain; and brother, Fred Lovelace of Kings Mountain. The family will receive friends from 2-3 PM Sunday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Interment will be private, and conducted by the Rev. Don Welborn.