Wilfried "Will" Koch

Wilfried Koch, a resident of Asheville since 1995, died Thursday, January 22, 2015. He was born on September 28, 1932 in Hamburg, Germany, son of the late Frieda and Karl Koch. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Edith Maria Koch; one son, Gary Oliver; one son-in-law, Tom Zangara and one great-granddaughter, Sophie Marie St. Aubin. He is survived by his current loving wife of 6 years, Linda, her daughter Amber Beane of Asheville and her granddaughter Stele. Will is also survived by his two daughters, Melinda Hasbrook, and husband Roy, of Amelia Island, FL and Rebecca Zangara of Chicago, IL; one son, Michael Oliver of Cleveland, OH; one brother, Peter Koch, and wife Vera, of Hamburg, Germany; two grandchildren, Jennifer St. Aubin, and husband, Pete and Christina Hasbrook, as well as many special friends and relatives, including Lynae Fanelli and her sons Evan and Myles. Will served in the US Army for 4 years. He realized that his accent was an asset rather than a liability. He did well living in several places in the US during his 30-year career with Kraft Foods. He then worked for a German company in Frankfurt for 6 years and upon returning to the US, he retired in Asheville. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with the Reverend Canon Jim Pritchett Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.