William W. Egler, Sr.

William W. “Bill” Egler, Sr., of Asheville, died Wednesday, November 6, 2002, at his home after an extended illness. Mr. Egler was born in Newark, NJ, and was a son of the late Walter and Edith Walters Egler. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Egler. Mr. Egler was proud to have served his country in the US Navy for 16 years and then with the Merchant Marines as a navigator until his retirement in 1970. He was the recipient of two purple hearts. He also worked with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was a member of the DAV, the VFW, and the Military Order of Purple Heart. He had lived in Asheville for 16 years and was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Betty Durrenberger Egler; a daughter, Denise Strombaugh and her husband Pete of Dixon City, PA; a son, William W. Egler, Jr. and his wife Becky of Livermore, CA; three grandchildren, Heather, Matthew and Jordan Egler. A memorial services will be at 4:00 pm Saturday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Ken Lewis and David Tucker officiating. His family will receive friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.