Ray Tipton

Woodfin - Walter Ray Tipton, 74, of 49 Elkwood Avenue died Saturday, October 5, 2002 at his residence. A native of Madison County. He had resided in Wayne County, Michigan for 30 Years prior to moving to Buncombe County where he has resided for the past 20 years. Mr. Tipton retired in 1992 from Karpen Steel Company in Weaverville. He was a U.S. Army WW II Veteran and a member of the AMVETS. He was a son of the late Walter and Dahlia Rose Bryan Tipton. Surviving are his wife, Gwendolyn Carrie Thomas Tipton of the home; daughters, Gloria Jean McGaffey of Oakland, Michigan, Beverly Ann Tonna and husband, Henry of Westland, Michigan, Yvonne Walker of Asheville and Laurie Lynn Bonka and husband, Keith of Novi, Michigan; sons, Bud Tipton of Fletcher and Walter Ray Tipton, II and fiancee, Denise of Old Fort; sister, Mary Kate Banks of Asheville; brothers, George Tipton and wife, Edna of Asheville and Harry Tipton and wife, Shirley of Shallowater, Texas; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. John T. Tiller officiating. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and immediately following the services at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence.