William Bryant "Bill" Melton Sr.

Asheville - William Bill Bryant Melton, Sr., 68, of 5 Sunset Drive, died Monday March 3, 2003 at Mountain Area Hospice. A native of Buncombe County. He had retired from WLOS after 43 years of service, was an U.S. Army Veteran, a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, retired member and past Chief of the Buncombe County Rescue Squad, a member of the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Club and was an Eagle Scout. He was a son of the late Ernest Bryant and Lillie Belle Byrd Melton. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Melton and his mother-in-law, Bessie Penley. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Pat Melton of the home; daughters, Kathy Trantham and husband, Jerry of Naples, NC and Beth Bradley and husband Shane of Zirconia, NC; son, Bryant Melton and wife, Madie of Candler; grandsons, Jeremy Trantham and Kevin Melton; sister, Mary Ann Hensley and husband, Ken of Candler; brother, Roger Melton and wife, Pauline of Skyland; father-in-law, Vernon Penley of Asheville; sister-n-law, Louise Melton of Asheville and several nieces and nephews. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff of Mountain Area Hospice, the 6th floor west of St. Josephs Hospital and all family members for their care. Memorials may be made to: Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.