Dennis Lyle Wilson
November 27, 1957 ~ May 28, 2020
Dennis Lyle Wilson, 62, died Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Mission Hospital.
Born in Michigan, he was the husband of Waynette Wilson, and the son of the late Albert Hayes and Mary Virginia Wilson.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Asheville, and was on the Mills River Planning Board.
Dennis retired from Graybar Electric in 2012 after 32 years of employment.
Dennis loved his family and was a well-rounded man who loved auctions, bluegrass music, and telling great stories. A man who always had the best advice, he loved to travel, and for a time was involved with mission trips to Costa Rica. In his youth, he attended Camp Lab, K-12, at WCU in Cullowhee. He went on to graduate from WCU in 1979.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Kathleen “Katie” Patterson and her husband James “Andy” of Atoka, TN; a sister, Barbara Hughes and her husband Bascombe of Powder Springs, GA; 3 nephews; 2 nieces; and 2 fur babies.
Services will be private. Mr. Wilson will lie in state from 1:00 PM Saturday, May 30 until 10:00 AM Monday, June 1 at Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian location.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or your favorite animal shelter.
Services
Private Service:
For those who wish to pay their respects: May 30, 2020 1:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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He was a great boss and a great friend. I am truly sorry for your loss.
I will miss you my friend.
Our deepest sympathies to Waynette, Katie and Andy.
Dennis was a good friend and I’m so glad we reconnected over the past few years. He will be sorely missed and well remembered. Condolences to the family.
Going to miss you, Dennis
DEAR BILL,
SAW YOUR NAME AS I WAS SENDING CONDOLENCES FOR A FORMER PLAYER YEARS AGO THAT I REMEMBER AS A TRULY WONDFERFUL PERSON AND VALUABLE PART OF THE CULLOWHEE BASEBALL TEAM.
I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. (COACH) ALAN RIFFLE
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis. He was always such a nice guy. Waynette, please call Gary Woods.
Dennis was a good friend and I always enjoyed his FB comments. My heart goes out to Waynette who has got to be devastated from the sudden void. And Katie “I’m so very sorry, your Daddy was a good man”
We reconnected on FB in recent years. I’ll miss him.
Memories of Dennis are only good. He was a kind and thoughtful first cousin. Though we were close as children, the years have distanced us. Ken and I are thankful that Dennis intentionally made the effort to reconnect through a visit a few years ago. We continued to stay in touch through texts and Facebook, and we will miss his humor and wit. Waynette and Katie please know that we will continue to pray for you during the difficult days ahead.
Waynette I’m truly sorry for Dennis’s death. I can’t imagine what you are going through . I just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Katie. I haven’t came around because of covid19. I would like to get together when this virus clears. I am truly heart broken for you.
Joe and Joyce Trantham
Dennis was a very nice person spent a lot of time caring for his parents. To the family I will be thinking of you and you have your good memories to hold on to.
Please allow me to extend my deepest condolences on Dennis’ passing. Dennis was a good friend; he was also a man who loved his family above all else. He loved good seafood, he loved racing, he had a passion for football, and he always, always believed in doing what was right. As a valued member of the Planning Board in Mills River, Dennis was an inspiration to so many because of his bravery – he spoke up when others would have been cowed into silence.
Dennis attended many council meetings, and there were times when I would look out into the gallery and he was sitting there shaking his head. Those were the moments when I knew that it wasn’t just me, and he gave me the kick that I needed to push back hard against whatever was being said. Dennis was a man of principle, a good man. I will miss him every day. I know that you will, as well.
Dennis loved you. He would want you to take care of yourselves. Please do that.
Brian
(COACH) ALAN RIFFLE, CULLOWHEE H.S.-1973
Thank you Coach. Dennis talked fondly of those days.
Sincerely,
Waynette
DENNIS WAS TRULY ONE OF MY BEST LIKED PLAYERS. ALWAYS HAPPY, WILLING TO WORK HARD, AND A TRUE TEAM PLAYER ON THE FIRST CULLOWHEE BASEBALL TEAM TO REACH THE STATE SEMI-FINALS.
I REMEMBER HIM WELL, AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS, WITH GREAT FONDNESS. MY PRAYERS TO THOSE MUCH CLOSER IN RELATION AND TIME FOR THE STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH SUCH AN UNTIMELY LOSS.
Wynette and Katie….so very sorry about Dennis. I saw it on Facebook. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorrowful for the loss of Dennis. He was a lifelong childhood friend who i regrettably lost touch with after moving away from WNC. Dennis and I were classmates all the way through school, starting at Camp Lab (K-1 elementary) and ending at WCU college graduation. We even shared the same college major and my father Dr. George Reeser was instrumental in helping Dennis start his professional career with Graybar Electric in Asheville. Dennis was a dedicated baseball teammate from which we shared many fond memories. As childhood friends, we even squirrel hunted together on his mom and dads property above NC #107. There was no better friend and no better man than Dennis. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family.
Thank you Mark for the kind words. Dennis would talk about squirrel hunting as a kid on his parents place.
Thank you Gus.